Detroit — St. Mary’s Preparatory in Orchard Lake and St. Mary Catholic Central in Monroe both had long playoff runs that landed them in the state finals over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Both teams, however, came up with the shorter part of the wishbone at Ford Field in Detroit. The Eaglets fell to East Grand Rapids by a 35-27 score in Division 3 action, and the Ithica Yellowjackets handed the Falcons a stinging 45-35 loss in Division 6.

As the Division 3 championship game wound down last Saturday evening, more than a few spectators recalled the 2007 matchup between the same two teams that resulted in a five-overtime loss for Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.  Though trailing most of the game, the Eaglets came within eight points when Allen Robinson grabbed a six-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Michael Koenisgsknecht with 3:39 remaining in the fourth quarter.



But an overtime wasn’t to be had as St. Mary’s Prep couldn’t stop the East Grand Rapids offense from running out the clock. The state championship was the fifth straight for the Pioneers.

The Falcons put up a strong fight in their championship game, also. But Ithaca answered the bell at the end, scoring two touchdowns within the final 2:02 of the championship game.