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Lumen Christi boots Schoolcraft out of the playoffs, 37-34, remains favorite in Division 6
(Photo Courtest: Jackson Lumen Christi Facebook)
Jackson – A team many picked to win the Division 6 title nearly didn’t get out of district play.
Abe Johnson kicked a 23-yard field goal on fourth down in overtime to give Jackson Lumen Christi a 37-34 victory at Schoolcraft on Saturday.
Schoolcraft (10-1) had possession first in overtime and on third down Nick Thomas intercepted in the end zone.
Many, perhaps most, would expect Lumen Christi coach Herb Brogan to try the field goal on first down but Brogan tried to avoid putting the pressure on his senior place kicker.
“Everybody was nervous,” Brogan said. “I give (Johnson) credit. He missed two extra points (during the game) so you know he was thinking about that.”
Lumen Christi (9-2) will host Napoleon (9-2) on Saturday in the Region 4 final at 1 p.m.
Lumen Christi has won eight state titles the last one coming in 2009 (Division 5). Schoolcraft is no stranger to playing in a state final as the Eagles have played in four finals winning two.
“They’re real good,” Brogan said. “I didn’t get a chance to see them in person but they’re better than they looked on film. They’re bigger than they looked on field and their overall team speed was better than I thought.”
The Titans again were led by their running back Bo Bell. Bell is a 5-7, 150-pound senior and for the third time this season he had over 30 carries. He rushed for 243 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries against Schoolcraft and his blocking back, junior fullback Kyle Minder, had 48 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.
The Titans are a young with just five or six seniors in the starting lineup, depending on which player or players are able to play. Brogan starts three sophomores and one freshman with the junior class being weighed on heavily for their contributions.
“If you would have told me we would be 7-2 going into the playoffs after the start we had I’d be tickled,” Brogan said. “I thought we’d be a good team by the end of the season. But compared to our teams in 2000, 2001 and 2009, this team couldn’t hold a candle to them.”
Other games of note
Ithaca (11-0) keeps rolling despite moving up to Division 5 from Division 6. The Yellowjackets stormed past Muskegon Oakridge, 47-6, and have outscored their two playoff opponents, 108-13.
In Division 1 Utica Eisenhower (11-0) hasn’t played a close game since the Eagles slipped by defending champion Romeo 16-14 on Sept. 23. Eisenhower whipped Macomb Dakota 45-7 on Friday.
Also in Division 1 on Friday, Clarkston held Davison running back Tariq Reid to 61 yards, his lowest total of the season, and Clarkston won, 31-14. It’s Clarkston’s fourth district title in five seasons.
Continuing in Division 1 Grandville (10-1) ending a 14-game losing streak to Rockford by defeating the Rams 20-9 on Friday. It’s Grandville’s first district title since 2003.
For the second consecutive season Pewamo-Westphalia defeated Saugatuck (10-1) in a Division 7 district final. Last season the Pirates defeated Saugatuck 38-28. On Saturday the Pirates survived 25-19. Jared Smith rushed for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries for Pewamo-Westphalia (11-0). Saugatuck quarterback Blake Dunn suffered an injury to his right (throwing) hand in the first half and moved to running back/receiver for the rest of the game.
