Port Huron rallies past Adams for district crown
PORT HURON — Behind two second-half touchdown runs, Port Huron is going to a place no other Big Reds football squad has ever gone — to the Division 2 regional finals.
Port Huron scored a touchdown in both the third and fourth quarter, kept visiting Rochester Adams scoreless in the second half and staved off several Highlanders drives to post a thrilling, 27-21, come-from-behind victory over Adams in a Division 2 district final at Port Huron Memorial Stadium.
Winslow Chapman scored on a 2-yard run and Mark Chapman scored the go-ahead points on an 85-yard scamper to keep Port Huron’s dream alive. The go-ahead touchdown came with 7:48 to play.
The Big Reds (10-1) will play at Walled Lake Western next Friday for the regional championship.
NOT ENOUGH: Rochester Adams quarterback Tony Annese scored three touchdowns, but it wasn't enought as penalties and turnovers plagued the Highlanders in a 27-21 Division 2 district finals loss Friday to Port Huron. File Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com
Adams, which committed 12 penalties and four turnovers, took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, thanks to runs of 63 and 2 yards by senior quarterback Tony Annese and a pair of Ryan Ciesel extra points.
KJ Thompson scored on a 40-yard sprint and Tyler Rowbotham hauled in a 10-yard scoring toss from Mark Chapman, but both conversions failed leaving Port Huron in a 14-12 hold midway through the second quarter.
The Highlanders (7-4) were able to tack on another score, again with Annese scoring on a 8-yard scamper, for a 21-12 lead at the half. The Highlanders, who were making their 15th straight postseason appearance, would not convert again.
Category: Featured Articles, High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps, Rochester Adams
DIVISION 2 BONUS COVERAGE
http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/11/25/bonus-coverage-brother-rice-goes-to-%E2%80%98church%E2%80%99-to-win-seventh-state-title/
DIVISION 4 BONUS COVERAGE: DIVISION 4 BONUS COVERAGE: Zeeland West downs Marine City for second state title: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/11/26/division-4-bonus-coverage-no-2-zeeland-west-runs-roughshod-over-top-ranked-marine-city/
DIVISION 6 BONUS COVERAGE:
http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/11/25/division-6-bonus-coverage-ithaca-defends-state-title-with-another-perfect-season/
DIVISION 8 BONUS COVERAGE:
http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/11/25/division-8-bonus-coverage-top-ranked-mendon-earns-title-no-11-with-shutout-of-fowler/
STAFF PICKS COLUMN: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/11/24/final-destination-check-in-football-finalists-ready-to-clash-for-coveted-titles/
MORE FOOTBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Football&x=16&y=18
FINAL REGULAR SEASON RANKINGS:
http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/11/25/state-rankings-%E2%80%94-final-regular-season-football-rankings/
PAIRINGS: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/11/24/8620/
COLLEGE COMMITMENTS / SIGNINGS : http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/11/22/headed-to-the-next-level-college-signings-committments/