YPSILANTI — The Catholic League’s Bishop Division football championship game was billed as St. Mary’s Prep vs. Catholic Central, but it was more like both teams vs. the elements.
A driving rainstorm hitting Eastern Michigan University’s Rynearson Stadium limited both teams’ effectiveness, and by halftime, the game was still scoreless with both squads combining for seven turnovers.
It seemed one big play could make or break the fortunes for either team, and the Eaglets finally got one two minutes into the second half, when fullback Anthony Anton ran the “35-Power” — a typical running play through the left side of the offensive line. Anton hit the hole, shook off a would-be tackler, and outran two other Shamrocks up the sideline, 52 yards into the end zone.
“Anthony broke it loose and made a terrific run,” St. Mary's coach George Porritt said. “That was a big play and really seemed to inspire our offensive line. We had to go with what works best for us: try to grind, run the ball and get a few passes in there. (Despite the weather), you go with what helps you win ballgames.”
In the fourth quarter, Anton had a similar 57-yard burst, and that accounted for both scores in the 13-0 shutout of the Shamrocks. In doing so, the Eaglets won their first Catholic League title since 2015 and avenged their only loss of the season.
With the win, St. Mary’s improved to 8-1 and will open Michigan High School Athletic Association post-season play by hosting Marysville on Friday. Catholic Central, the Central Division’s top seed, finished 4-5 and out of the running for a playoff spot.
In the Cardinal Division, undefeated Everest Collegiate made it two straight championships over Riverview Gabriel Richard, 26-7. The second half was the difference-maker, when the Mountaineers (8-0) outscored the Pioneers 19-0.
Joey Thibodeau had a big game, scoring Everest’s first two touchdowns on pass receptions covering 10 and 85 yards. He also intercepted a pass at the goal line when the Pioneers were threatening to tie the game at 13.
Besides his two scoring passes to Thibodeau, Giovanni Mastromatteo scored another on an 8-yard option run, while Jack Laceski added the final touchdown on a 2-yard run.
Despite the loss, Gabriel Richard locked up a playoff berth by finishing 7-2, and will travel to face unbeaten Clinton on Friday. Everest, meanwhile, will host Flint Beecher in its playoff opener.
In the Prep Bowl Wild Card game, University of Detroit-Jesuit won its first league championship in 20 years, shutting out Divine Child, 14-0.
“The opportunity to play for a championship hasn’t happened around U-D very often, and that was enough to us get motivated for the game,” Cubs coach Matt Lewis said.
Nick Johnson had both touchdowns for the Cubs, scoring on a 4-yard run right before halftime and a 29-yard run in the second half. The first was set up by Carson Hinton’s long pass reception.
U of D Jesuit shut out the Falcons (4-5) for the second time this year, knocking them out of playoff contention.
“We were outstanding defensively,” Lewis said. “We really limited what they did on the offensive side of the ball.”
The Cubs (6-3) open the MHSAA playoffs at North Farmington on Friday night.
Although not playing in the Prep Bowl championships, several other Catholic League schools finalized state playoff berths over the weekend. Here is a run-down:
BISHOP FOLEY: Outlasted University-Liggett, 35-28, to gain a sixth win and eliminate Liggett (4-5) from playoff contention. The Ventures will take a long road trip into the Thumb to face Elkton-Pigeon-Bayport Laker for their pre-district game.
BROTHER RICE: Beat Detroit Cody 51-7 to finish 6-3. The Warriors travel to Flint Kearsley for their playoff opener Friday.
CRANBROOK: Although the Cranes and Harper Woods Chandler Park did not play as scheduled last Friday, the Cranes (5-3) had enough wins to extend their playoff streak to six years. They will host Harper Woods in the pre-district round.
DE LA SALLE: Lost to state-ranked West Bloomfield, 16-8, but the Pilots’ 5-4 record earned them an at-large playoff bid. De La Salle plays at Birmingham Groves on Friday night.
FR. GABRIEL RICHARD: Snapped a four-game losing streak by beating Pontiac, 58-6, to finish 5-4. They will open the playoffs at Whitmore Lake — a rematch of a Sept. 28 game the Fighting Irish won, 22-20.
LOYOLA: Beat Detroit Osborn 42-8 and qualified for the playoffs with a 4-4 record, and will play at Detroit Central.
SHRINE: Shut out Detroit Old Redford Academy, 44-0, on Friday, and ended with a 7-2 mark. The Knights will host Ottawa Lake-Whiteford in a pre-district game Saturday afternoon.
