Week Thirteen Recap.

Written Saturday November 18th at 4:25 PM

HARRISON 21, Riverview 0.

The Hawks defense was just dominant against a Pirates team that has been riding high into the State tournament with house money after their big win last week over Dearborn Divine Child. Harrison's defense stopped Riverview's Wing T offense four times including a goal line stand. The Pirates dominated the time of possession battle but couldn't score against a battle tested Hawks defense. Harrison when they had the ball used a rushing attack that controlled things against Riverview at Rochester on Saturday afternoon. Joe Stevens kicked off the scoring for the Hawks with a 43-yard touchdown run and then Roedrick Heard scored another one from 64 yards out making the halftime score 14-0. Harrison only had the ball for 14 plays in the first half which showed how the Pirates dominated the time of possession. Heard then again got a screen pass from Noah Hendricks scoring from 45 yards to pay dirt in the second half closing out the scoring. This will be the Hawks first trip to the State Final since 2010. Harrison is 91-19 overall in the postseason will play in their 18th State Championship Game and will take on undefeated Muskegon on Saturday night at Ford Field.

WEST BLOOMFIELD 9, Detroit Cass Tech 7.

The Lakers are heading to the State Final for the first time in school history after beating Detroit Cass Tech at Troy Athens. This is third loss for the Technicians against the OAA (Orion 2010, Harrison 2013.) West Bloomfield used a strong defense that has gained confidence and forced five turnovers. The kicking game was huge as well led by Nick O’Shea. O’Shea connected on field goals from 32, 26, and 26 yards however the game got shaky in the fourth quarter after a missed O’Shea field goal, Detroit Cass Tech went 80 yards only to see the Lakers defense whom the Technicians called out for not having a physical defense on social media have a goal line stand to keep the score 9-0 at the time. Detroit Cass Tech got one more shot and took advantage when Jared Mangham scored from one yard out making the score 9-7 and what made things worse was the Technicians recovered the onside kick giving them another chance to possibly steal the game like what happened in the previous two weeks for Detroit Cass Tech. However, West Bloomfield had different ideas as defensive back/running back Makari Paige intercepted Technicians quarterback Aaron Jackson with 44 seconds left in the game, securing the Lakers first ever trip to the State Final. Bryce Veasley was ten for 17 for 68 yards and Collin Heard had nine carries for 68 yards. West Bloomfield will play Red division rival Clarkston next Saturday at Ford Field.

CLARKSTON 27, Novi Detroit Catholic Central 7.

The Wolves used a stingy defense, a big offensive line, and a strong rushing attack at Walled Lake Western on Saturday afternoon against Novi Detroit Catholic Central controlling things in what was somewhat as a shocker. As mentioned Clarkston’s defense was one of  big differences of the game as they started with an interception by Cody Hughes which led to a Josh Cantu two-yard touchdown run. Cantu whom had 21 carries for 95 yards would get hurt in the second quarter and had to be carried off. The Cantu injury left the ground attack to Mike Fleugel. Fleugel scored his first touchdown from six yards out which gave Clarkston a 14-0 lead. The Wolves special teams recovered the opening kickoff from the Shamrocks in the second half giving them great field position. The fumble recovery led to Fleugel’s second touchdown of the day also from six yards out making the score 20-0. Fleugel would then get his third touchdown of the game, this time from 71 yards out making the score 27-0. Novi Detroit Catholic Central would add a score late in the game to end the shutout. It is the Wolves second straight win over the Shamrocks in postseason play with the first being in the 2013 Division One State Championship Game 32-14. Clarkston's offensive line was just brilliant creating holes for Fleugel and Cantu all night and proving protection for quarterback Nate Uballe. Fleugel had 19 carries for 105 yards and three scores. The Wolves defense shut down Cam Ryan throughout the game along with creating turnovers in the process. Clarkston will be heading to the State Final for the first time since 2014 to which they will take on Red division rival West Bloomfield next Saturday at Ford Field.