DIVISION 3 BONUS COVERAGE: St. Mary’s uses experience, speed to win first title since 2000

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

DETROIT — Playing at Ford Field is a case of been there, done that for the players on Orchard Lake St. Mary’s football team. Walking off the field with a state championship and that’s a different story.

The fourth-ranked Eaglets have played in numerous Catholic High School League games there in recent years and have played in the state finals three straight years and in four of the most past five seasons.

This time St. Mary’s scored early and often in winning its first state crown since 2000 and fifth overall, posting lopsided 45-7 victory over previously unbeaten Mt. Pleasant.

The Eaglets are 5-5 all-time in state finals games dating back to 1977, but have lost in the finals in 2010, 2009, 2007, 2004 and 2001 in the past decade and finally got back over the top.

St. Mary’s won titles in 2011, 2000, 1999, 1994 and 1977.

“It was great to win again,” smiled St. Mary’s coach George Porritt. “It was a collective effort from these kids. It’s been that way all year long. We played a great schedule, we won our league, the Catholic League, and we played a couple of great teams in Ohio. We played a lot of great football this year and I’m really proud of the effort that they give on offense, defense and special teams.”

St. Mary’s, which chalked up 226 points this postseason, scored twice in the opening 4:27 to take a 14-0 lead on the Oilers. That lead blew up to 24-7 by the break and Mt. Pleasant (13-1) would never recover.

“We’ve seen the trophies of the state runner-ups and now we have the state championship — that’s amazing,” said St. Mary’s senior Spencer Mcinnis. “We’ve been here multiple times, the seniors, and we know what it takes to win and that’s what we did tonight.”

Top-ranked Mt. Pleasant could not counter the Eaglets’ speed and ability to make the big play. The Oilers ousted five-time defending state champion and ninth-ranked East Grand Rapids in last week’s state semifinals, 38-37, but could never find the same magic against one of the state predominant programs.

“These guys played here already this year and they’ve been here before (in the state finals). It was shock to everyone, including the staff, coming out here to start the game and I think that was a factor in some of those early points,” said Mt. Pleasant coach Jason McIntyre. “We settled down and do what we do. The fake punt we missed and the third down conversions early that could of made a difference.

“You can’t simulate any of their athleticism in practice,” continued McIntyre. “We have kids everything that they have but we were in position to make some tackles and it wasn’t a scheme thing or guys getting blocked. Their athletes made out guys miss.”

Spencer Mcinnis led St. Mary’s (12-2) with 213 rushing yards on 13 attempts and scored three touchdowns. The Eaglets chewed up the Mt. Pleasant defense for 478 yards on the ground and didn’t have to rely on the passing attack, which generated only 20 yards.

Parker Mcinnis added 96 yards on nine touches and Grant Niemic also had 96 yards on 11 carries.

“We’ve been able to move the ball and we’re pretty diversified with it. We’ve got great blocking up front from our line,” beamed Porritt. “Our backs run so tough. You saw (Spencer) Mcinnis out there today. We thought we saw something a little bit on the left side. We feel we can go either way.”

Ryan Elliott had 145 passing yards on a 13-for-23 passing performance and also had a rushing touchdown for Mt. Pleasant. Colton Odykirk had seven catches for 94 yards

FOR MORE PREP FOOTBALL COVERAGE:  http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Football&x=12&y=12

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