FOOTBALL: Stoney Creek downs Adams for first time

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

Twitter: @LocalSportsFans

ROCHESTER HILLS — There is a first time for everything.

One of those first monumental moments finally occurred for Rochester Stoney Creek’s football program Thursday night.

The Cougars overcame a sluggish first half to rally past Rochester Adams, 28-20, in the season opener for both teams.

It marked Stoney Creek’s first-ever win over Adams, while on the opposite end marked the Highlanders’ first intra-city loss since 1996. Adams lost to Rochester High 18 years ago (20-14 on Nov. 1, 1996) and had some 21 straight wins combined over Rochester and Stoney Creek over nearly two decades of football.

Stoney Creek (1-0) lost to Adams in a Division 1 pre-district game last October — and the Cougars finally gained its measure of revenge. Stoney Creek came into the contest 0-5 all-time against the Highlanders.

“We remembered that playoff loss,” smiled Stoney Creek’s Jack Allen, who finished the night 7-for-13 passing for 102 yards with a pair of touchdown runs and one touchdown pass. “It’s amazing (to finally beat them). We were so close last season.”

Stoney Creek had to overcome the adversity of losing the postseason contest to Adams nine months ago and the loss of a player at the start of the preseason.

“We’re a family. I’ve preached that when I took this job three years ago and I will always preached it,” said Stoney Creek coach Brad Zube. “(we battle) through the high and lows together and tonight was a great win for our (family).”

Down 20-14 at the half, Stoney Creek’s Paul Pollack scooped up a fumble in the end zone to stall an Adams drive with 8:25 left in the third quarter. That stop seemed to fuel the Cougars’ turnaround.

“We didn’t do the things we normally do,” sighed Adams coach Tony Patritto. “We made some mistakes, the fumble in the end zone was one of them, and they were able to come back on us. This was one of worst (losses) in 12 years.”

Stoney Creek’s Allen scored on a two-yard plunge with 9:52 to play, while standout soccer player Jack Lucci’s extra point put the Cougars up for good at 21-20.

Stoney Creek forced a fumble on Adams’ next possession and with the ball on the Highlanders’ 19, the Cougars put together a swift drive that ended three plays later when Allen scampered home from 4 yards out. Lucci’s extra boot capped the scoring.

Stoney Creek stopped seven Adams drives in the second half.

Adams grabbed an early 14-0 lead by scoring on its first two drives. Clarence Broadnax punched through from 2 yards out, while Kyle Wood scored on a 5-yard run in the first quarter.

Stoney Creek clawed back to within 14-7 when Joe Platz broke free for a 32-yard touchdown with 11:10 still left in the second quarter.

The Highlanders widened its gap with 8:03 left in the frame when Wood found a streaking Nick Antenucci for a 57-yard TD Strike

down the filed. Adams misfired on the PAT for a 20-7 advantage.

the Cougars closed to within 20-14 late in the second quarter when Allen hooked up with Kyle McBride for a 7-yard scoring toss.

Broadnax had workman-like 28 carries for 170 yards for Adams, while Wood finished 6-for-14 passing for 104 yards.

McBride added seven catches for Stoney Creek. Charles Barr had a fumble and a sack and Platz was a force on defense with 12 solo tackles and four assists.

“This is something that they can never take away from us,” said Zube. “They will always remember (8-28-14).”

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