DIVISION 7 FOOTBALL: Pewamo-Westphalia shuts down Lumen Christi to end Titans’ 35-game win streak
BY DAN STICKRADT
CORRESPONDENT
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
DETROIT — Pewamo-Westphalia did something Saturday that no other football team could figure out this season. That is to slow down Jackson Lumen Christi.
The unbeaten Pirates did so in a major way.
Pewamo-Westphalia captured its third state title in four years and moved to 3-2 in state title games this decade with a convincing 14-0 shutout of the mighty Titans in the Division 7 state finals at Ford Field.
Lumen Christi, owners of 11 state titles — including three straight — and 14 state finals game appearances, came in averaging 33.3 points a game over 12 contests, scoring 400 points.
It ended Lumen Christi’s 35-game unbeaten streak, as the Pirates (14-0) absolutely stifled the Titans’ sterling run game.
“We take pride in the fact that nobody runs on us,” said Pewamo-Westphalia coach Jeremy Miller. “We’ve kind of rode that it all season. Our defense has been outstanding. We have not given up many points all season.
“They’re the three-time defending Division 6 state champs, and they are obviously one of the storied programs in the state of Michigan,” added Miller. “When you’re going up against them, you have to execute. So to do it against a quality opponent like that is obviously just a tremendous credit to our kids.”
Pewamo-Westphalia recorded its school record ninth shutout of the season. A total of 13 opponents were held to single digits against the Pirates, while only top-ranked New Lothrop scored double digits against the stifling P-W defense — a 36-35 win in the regional finals.
Both Pewamo-Westphalia and Lumen Christi entered the state tournament tied for second in the final Associated Press Division 7 polls. The Pirates made sure their defense landed them in the top spot on the year-end charts.
“We knew with the way they scored points that we had to step up,” said P-W senior Aaron Bearss. “We knew we could not let them get going.”
Pewamo-Westphalia scored a touchdown in the second quarter and added an insurance scoring drive in the fourth quarter.
The Pirates scored what proved to be the game-winning drive with three seconds left in the first half when Ethan Helen hooked up with Bearss for a 27-yard touchdown pass, followed by Tanner Wirth’s first of two extra points.
That ended a swift five-play, 40-yard drive and was set up by Bearss’ interception of Lumen Christi quarterback Brendan Wilson.
The Pirates did not score again until there was only 2:16 left in the contest. This time it was Carter Thelen that scampered 16 yards into the end zone that capped an eight-play, 50-yard drive that took 3:59 off the clock.
Wirth netted 63 yards on 23 carries for Pewamo-Westphalia. The Pirates had only 67 yards on the ground and 52 passing yards in the victory.
John Martin spearheaded P-W’s defensive effort with 11 tackles, two tackles and forced a fumble.
Grant Stump added eight tackles and both Brock Helen and Bearss recorded interceptions for the Pirates.
Lumen Christi, whose previous low was 14 points in a season-opening 14-12 win over Kalamazoo United. The Titans scored 146 points and averaged 36.5 points over their previous four postseason games.
Lumen Christi (12-1) chalked up just 80 rushing yards and 29 passing yards in the defensive struggle.
Walker Pate had 22 carries for 49 yards for the Titans. Matt Saunders had 11 tackles and a sack for Lumen Christi.
“We knew they had a great defense,” said Jackson Lumen Christi coach Herb Brogan. “I felt if we could have got a long drive and were able to score that it might have been different. They were really physical up front, and they played eight men in the box. But we’ve seen that all year long. We’ve been able to take advantage of what that gives you, and we couldn’t do that today.”
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