With three weeks left in the High School Football season, we have a great one for you. We are headed out to River Rouge as the Panthers of River Rouge High School host the Crusaders of Detroit King High School. Since the 2018 season, these two teams have met four times, and all have come in the playoffs. Those games’ winners have gone on to play for the State Title.
The Panthers come in with a 7-4 record and are looking to make it to the Semifinals for the first time since the 2020 season when they made it to Ford Field for the State Championship game. Leading the way for the Panthers will be their All-American Receiver Nick Marsh. In the win over Riverview last week, Marsh had 54 yards and a touchdown. It wasn’t just the passing and receiving game that helped Rouge to the 49-27 victory over Riverview, but it was the rushing attack. Leading the way on the ground for the Panthers were Jamori Biggs and Cameron Broadnax. Broadnax carried it seven times for 105 yards and a touchdown, while Biggs had 125 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.
The Crusaders enter this one with a record of 6-5 and are looking at making it back to the State Title game for a third straight year. Leading the way for the Crusaders is Freshman Quarterback Darryl Flemister. In the 48-0 win over Grosse Pointe North, Flemister completed eight of his twelve passing attempts for 265 yards and four touchdowns. Flemister also showed he can do it with his feet. While he only had seven yards on four carries, he did have a touchdown. Three of Flemister’s four touchdowns went to Ka’von Matthews, who also racked up 97 yards. Sophomore Running Back Michael Dukes also added two scores. One of Duke’s scores came on an 82-yard pass from Flemister, and his other came from rushing the ball.