It’s nitty-gritty time for the state high school football playoffs.
Only four of the 11 Catholic League schools that qualified for state tournament action, which kicked off two weeks ago, remain in the quest for a state championship.
One of them most certainly will be eliminated this weekend when Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (11-0) meets fellow CHSL Central foe Warren De La Salle (8-3). The Pilots will be out to avenge a regular-season 28-21 loss to the Warriors and put up a “dead end” sign on their road to a fourth consecutive Division 2 title.
To do that, De La Salle’s defense will have to contain the state’s most dangerous and productive passing combination, quarterback Alex Malzone and wide receiver Grant Perry, who, along with their teammates, have added incentive protecting a 33-game winning streak stretching back to October 2012.
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (9-2), seeking a sixth appearance in the Division 3 finals in the last eight years, is hosting Mason (8-3). (Log on to MHSAA.com or check daily papers for dates and locations of these games.)
However, the team that captures my interest at the moment is Detroit Loyola in Division 7, so, so hungry to win a state title after having been denied by Ishpeming the last two years in the finals.
The Bulldogs will square off against New Lothrop in a battle of the titans. Both have spotless 11-0 records. Loyola, in the Fenkell-Wyoming area on Detroit’s north side, was ranked No. 1 season-long in Division 7; New Lothrop — 23 miles northwest of Flint — No. 3. In between is No. 2 Ishpeming (10-0) from the Upper Peninsula and the odds-on favorite to be on the Ford Field turf come Nov. 29 waiting for their next challenger.
Both the Bulldogs and Hornets feature powerful offenses. Loyola has won its games by an average score of 50-6, the Hornets 47-12. Loyola ran roughshod over its two state tournament opponents, a combined 83-0, and has produced shutouts in four of its last five victories, going back to the conclusion of the regular season.
Coach John Callahan, in his sixth year at the helm, says the difference between this team and the last two finalists is experience and maturity.
“We weren’t ready the first time (the 2012 finals),” he says, “and the second time (in 2013), we got ahead of ourselves, too eager.” The Bulldogs fumbled the opening kickoff, leading to a touchdown, and had three passes picked off.
Those teams were young, “a lot of freshmen and sophomores ... for the first time, I have 15 seniors. They’ve grown up. They know what it takes to win.”
Callahan says that “from the first day” after last year’s season ended, “they were in the weight room, getting better and stronger every day.” Indeed, the Bulldogs roster lists 17 linemen on defense or offense weighing an average of 232 pounds.
Junior quarterback Nick Lee directs the offense. He hands off to probably the most potent backfield in the state: senior running back Marvin Campbell, who has hit the end zone seven times in two playoff games, giving him 24 for the season, and rushing for nearly 1,600 yards; another speedy senior, Mideyin Wilson (more than 800 yards running and 11 TDs); and junior Blain Woodland (more than 700 yards rushing and six scores).
Senior linebackers Darryl Clemons and Paul Engram and junior lineman Anthony Fitzpatrick (6 sacks) have a combined 150 tackles to lead a swarming defense.
What it all boils down to, says school president, Fr. Mark Luedtke, S J, is that “hard work builds a tradition of success.”
A state championship would second that notion.
Don Horkey is a freelance writer. He may be reached at [email protected].
