Orchard Lake St Mary’s took on Byron Center in the Division Two state finals to cap off the first night of the eight-game slate. Byron Center was looking to break the streak of first-time teams losing in the state finals, while Orchard Lake was trying to get back to the top of the mountain for the first time since 2016. Who would come out on top? It would be back and forth in the first half, but the trend would continue as Orchard Lake would come out on top by a final of 35-19.
Byron Center
Coaching Blunder
The Coach for the Bulldogs of Byron Center made possibly the biggest blunder of all four games on Friday. That blunder was stopping going to his star sophomore running back Cam Payne. In the first quarter and a half, Payne went off for 107 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. He had one carry for 15 yards during the rest of the game. Payne had the most explosive plays in the game for the Bulldogs, but he was a non-factor from the second play in the second drive of the second quarter until the end of the game. After the game, head coach Marc Cisco said, “It’s what we’ve done all year,” when asked why he went away from his star.
Orchard Lake St Mary’s
The Drive to Want
The Eaglets of Orchard Lake St Mary’s wanted it more, and it was evident in how they played and their energy and enthusiasm on the field and sideline. They were running to the line, and both running backs kept up the tempo. When push came to shove, the Eaglets kept their heads down and played their style of football, which was hard nose running the ball. Post-game, both running backs Darrin Jones and Bryson Williams said that they play off each other and are “Day One Ride or Dies,” which shows how close this team is and that they are more of a family that wanted it for each other.