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Cass Tech, King pick up PSL semifinal wins, will meet once again in PSL title game
DETROIT – Cass Tech needed a spark, and they needed one fast. So they just put the ball in arms or their star running back, Mike Weber, who scored three fourth quarter touchdowns, to propel his team past East English Village, 19-12.
"Mike (Weber) just did what he was supposed to do, period," said Cass Tech head coach Thomas Wilcher. "When you have a Mike Weber, just put the ball in his hands, and just watch."
Weber, who’s committed to Michigan, rushed for 216 yards on the night, in front of his future college head coach, Brady Hoke. Weber only had five touches in the first half, due to a minor injury, but he knew that now wasn’t the time let his team down.
"Coach wanted to limit my touches, and save me for the fourth quarter, and it worked out pretty well," said Weber. "East English’s defense was swarming all game, and I couldn’t really do what I wanted because of my injury. But I just played smart football, and made it happen for my team."
East English actually took a 12-0 lead into the final quarter, and owned the first half. The Bulldogs ran on just about every play, trying to shorten the game, and control time of possession. And for the most part it worked, until they ran out of gas at the end.
"We got out-coached," said East English head coach Rod Oden. "I’m taking the blame, and this loss is 100% on me. We got out-coached in the second half, and we have to put our kids in a better position to win.
"It’s not over though. We still have to win next week to get into the playoffs, and we’re warriors. We’re going to come back fighting."
Cass Tech turned the tables on East English, giving them a heavy dose of Weber and the run game late. Weber put Cass Tech on the board with a 1-yard run w/10:14 left in the game, to make things closer at 12-7. The Technician defense forced a three and out on East English’s next possession, and the momentum shifted towards their way.
Once again, there was Weber to the rescue, giving Cass Tech the lead for good, busting up the gut untouched for a 28-yard touchdown run. He would add on an insurance touchdown from 34-yards out, to seal the win for the green and white.
"I give it all to my offensive line, said Weber. "They were really big for me today. I could have done more, but my injury wouldn’t let me, but I still made it happen.
"This win is really special to get back down to Ford Field. It’s our home field, and we will take that walk again this year for the state championship."
Cass Tech’s opponent next Friday at Ford Field will be rival King, who beat Renaissance in the second semifinal game, 34-0. Junior quarterback Mikale Washington threw four touchdowns, and senior running back Demetrius Fullilove rushed for 116 yards and one score.
Cass Tech won last year’s meeting in the city title game against King, 20-14.
