Schools

Football Friday: St. Mary's, West Bloomfield Playing in Big Games

Orchard Lake St. Mary's football hosts Detroit Cass Tech while WBHS will honor police, fire, and military service in game against Troy Athens.

Two of the most highly-regarded high school football teams will square off Friday under the bright lights and red turf field of Orchard Lake St. Mary's, as the Eaglets welcome Detroit Cass Tech.

It's a battle of reigning state champions: St. Mary's won its Division 3 state championship over Mt. Pleasant on the same day that Cass Tech topped Novi Detroit Catholic Central to win the Div. 1 title last season.

The Eaglets look prepared, currently riding a three-game winning streak after a season-opening loss on the road to Muskegon. Last week, St. Mary's crushed University of Detroit Jesuit at home, 43-7.

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However, the Technicians ride to town after a big win over Catholic Central League neighbors Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice to open the season en route to a 4-0 record to date.

Be sure to keep an eye on the Eaglets' offensive line — seniors Austin Johnson and Andrew Koterba are well-known names to college scouts — to see if it can create holes for running backs and time in the pocket for quarterback Matt Linehan.

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Meanwhile, West Bloomfield will look to get back on track in a homestand against Troy Athens after a 20-13 loss at Rochester last week. 

The Lakers had an opportunity to tie with the ball on Rochester's 19 yard-line and less than one minute left, but could not convert a short fourth-down play and gave up the ball.

The Lakers' record currently stands at 1-3, while Troy Athens hasn't recorded its first win.

However, the focus won't solely be on the team, as the second-annual Family Fun Night precedes the game. Police, fire, and military personnel will get into the game for free and are expected to be honored for their service. 

Meanwhile, free, family-friendly activities are sure to keep the district's younger children — who will also get into the game for free, if wearing spirit clothes — very much entertained. A bounce house, dunk tank, live DJ, fire department trucks, and more are scheduled beginning at 5 p.m.

The district asks those in attendance to leave election/political materials or paraphernalia at home.

Both games kick off at 7 p.m.

Game time weather: pack an umbrella

Although Family Fun Night activities will continue rain or shine Friday night (they will be moved indoors if the weather doesn't cooperate), conditions could alter the football action quite a bit.

The National Weather Service calls for a chance of showers after 9 p.m. and wind gusts of up to 22 m.p.h. The high is forecast at 68 degrees, while the low could drop to 48 degrees. Rainfall in amounts of a tenth to a quarter of an inch are possible, according to the report.


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