DIVISION 1 BONUS COVERAGE: Cass Tech shocks Catholic Central for first state title

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

DETROIT — Unheralded and unranked no more.

Detroit Cass Tech pulled off one of the more memorable upsets in state finals history, establishing many firsts with an out-of-nowhere, 49-13, route of second-ranked Novi Detroit Catholic Central in the Division 1 finals at Ford Field.

NOWHERE TO GO: Novi Detroit Catholic Central's Jon Malone and the Shamrocks found little running room in their 49-13 loss to Detroit Cass Tech in the Division 1 state finals. Photo | Larry McKee

The Technicians, highly-rated in the preseason with seven Division I college recruits in the senior class alone, put together a five-win run in the postseason to not only stun the heavily-favored second-ranked Shamrocks in the finals, but to become the first PSL school to ever win the large-school division.

Cass Tech finished the regular season 6-3 and did not even reach the PSL finals at the end of the regular season. Yet the Technicians, who scored only a combined 12 points in their previous two tournament wins over Warren DeLaSalle (6-0) and Utica Eisenhower (6-3), found ways to ignite their offense.

Catholic Central had not given up 50 points in a game since 1951 and had not surrendered 40 points in a contest in 40 years. The Technicians exposed the Shamrocks’ secondary, as six of their touchdowns came on the offensive side and one via an interception return.

“(After watching film), I knew (we were capable) of having 300 passing yards and putting up some points,” said Cass Tech coach Thomas Wilcher. “We knew we had a mismatch. Our guys came out and stuck to the game plan and we were able to use our strengths (to win).”

Freshman quarterback Jayru Campbell shined on the big stage, finishing the night 13-for-20 passing for 240 yards and five touchdown passes, becoming the first freshman quarterback to lead his team to the Division 1 state championship.

“We knew we had the athletes to be able to do this,” offered Campbell. “I just had to go out and lead the offense. I thought we had a lot of weapons, not just (with receivers), but with our line. We have some great athletes on our line.”

END OF THE ROAD: Kyle Cooper and his Novi Detroit Catholic Central teammates ended the season on a sour note, bowing out in the Division 1 state finals with a 49-13 defeat to unranked Detroit Cass Tech. Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com

Senior Daryl Goldsmith said that his team’s heart trumped Catholic Central’s style.

“We had the desire and I think that was better than technique,” he said. “We played with a lot of intensity. We had the desire (to win).”

Royce Jenkins-Stone had 65 rushing yards on nine carries to lead the Cass Tech’s ground assault.

Five different players hauled in touchdown passes. Terry Richardson, Jordan Lewis, Lile Ruben, Jackson Shuron and Royce all were on the receiving end of TD strikes for Cash Tech (11-3).

Catholic Central (12-2) founded itself in a 14-7 hole after scoring a touchdown with 7:25 left in the second quarter before the bottom dropped out on the Shamrocks.

Anthony Darkangelo hauled in a 47-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Cooper in the second quarter and David Houle scored on a 1-yard run with just over minutes left for Catholic Central.

Tom Mach, in his 36 years as head coach at Catholic Central, has guided his program to nine state championships and three runners up leading into this season. The veteran was almost at a loss for words following the loss to Cash Tech.

“We got outplayed today,” sighed Mach. “I am very proud of my team throughout the whole year. But we met our match today. They did a great job (against us).”

Last week the Shamrocks had to rally for a 23-20 overtime victory over top-ranked Rockford in the semifinals. Catholic Central didn’t have the same magic against Cass Tech.

“You have to come to play for 48 minutes and play your best. We got what it takes,” added Mach. “(Last week) was a great game for us, but we had to extend ourselves. We have been doing that all year. The league that we play in, it’s really tough. You never have a chance to regroup. I thought we had a great week of practice and thought we we’re ready to go.”

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