Michigan Chronicle

Category: Sports Written by Leland Stein, III

LIONS JONTE Green (#36) knocks Golden Tate off the ball. – Andre Smith photo

Before 63,497 at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit the mood was electric. Not only were the Lions battling the Seattle Seahawks, the Tigers were right across the street getting ready to challenge the San Francisco Giants.

The Downtown area was a wave of humanity enjoying a sports festival at the highest level. To its credit the Detroit Lions did it part as the set the stage for the Tigers and the fans implementing a noteworthy come from behind victory over the Seahawks.

All left Ford Field jubilant and all hoped that energy would carry over across the street to Comerica Park. Well, it was not to be as the Tigers got swept by the Giants.

With the win the Lions put their teetering ship in motion for a run at a decent season. The NFC North Division is going to be a challenge for the Lions as it is proving to the the best Division in the NFL.

The Chicago Bears lead with a 6-1 record followed by the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings who are both sitting at 5-3. The Lions are bringing up the rear at 3-4.

But it is not hyperbole to say the Lions are better than their record. The fact of the matter is the defense has been playing it best ball in the past 10 years. Loses to Tennessee and the Minnesota was a direct result of special teams giving up two return scores in each game, and, the offense and quarterback Matthew Stafford not playing up to the level he and they showed in 2011.

After Stafford connected with receiver Titus Young on a 1-yard touchdown pass on third-and-one with 20 seconds left to play that resulted in the game-winning touchdown pass against Seattle, it gave the Lions a 28-24 victory over the Seahawks. The pass was Stafford’s fourth career game-winning touchdown pass, and second this season, in the game’s final minute.

Stafford completed 34-of-49 passes for 352 yards earning his 13th career 300-yard game. He has thrown for 300 yards in 13 of his 36 career starts. The Lions are now 9-4 when he throws for 300 yards.

With only 5:27 left in the game Zach Miller made a spectacular, 16-yard catch on a toss from Russell Wilson to put the Seahawks ahead. But Seattle (4-4) couldn't stop the Lions on their last possession.

Young made the most of his opportunity replacing injured Nate Burleson. Besides the game-winning score Young caught a 46-yard touchdown pass in stride from Stafford that started Detroit's initial comeback.

“Titus…it was more than just Titus though,” lamented Lions coach Jim Schwartz. “Ryan Broyles made a couple of really big plays. Tony Scheffler got a big chunk of yards. (Brandon) Pettigrew moved the chains a few times at the end; Joique Bell made some big plays. It was a team effort to be able to mount that last drive.

“Titus never lacked for self-confidence. Titus is always positive and his role has changed a little bit now. But he’s always upbeat and has a lot confidence in his ability to make plays.”

Added Young: “I feel like it’s a blessing to be in the position to make plays for my team. Just as far as the overall win, I felt like it was just great for our team not only me. When we play together, as you guys can see, we’re a really tough team to beat especially at home when the crowd is involved. Our crowd is a very emotional crowd. They really want us to win really badly. Anytime we get a chance to get the crowd on their feet, we have to make the defense pay.”

Also the Lions defense continued to force negative plays on the opponent’s offense. In particular, led by defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Corey Williams they registered seven total tackles for loss that included six on rushing plays and one on a pass play.

Leland Stein can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Twitter @LelandStein III

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 October 2012 10:02

Detroit Area schools have a strong presence on the road to Ford Field

Category: Sports Written by Leland Stein III

(Photo Credit: King receiver Mycial Allen hope to lead King to its second state title. – Andre Smith photo)

For many years the Detroit Public School League (PSL) teams looked at the City title game as the one to win, and, in many case it still is.

If you could have been at Ford Field for the PSL title game this past Friday and witness the joyousness from the Martin Luther King High fans, players, coaches and alumni, winning the City title over East English Village 51-48 in one of the most entertaining high school games I’ve ever seen, the City title game is still the big one in Detroit.

However, as Detroit has merged and closed high schools, the unexpected result has been that the state’s largest city and school district (PSL) has seen its football talent pool condense.

At one point the PSL had 22 high schools and the talent was so spread out, the PSL could not compete in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) football state title with private schools of choice and towns that centered all its resources on one high school.

So when King High finally broke through in 2007 winning the PSL’s first state football title corralling the MHSAA Div. 2 crown. Coach Jim Reynolds team was enhanced after the closing of Mackenzie High, King got a number of its players including All-American and current Green Bay Packer star Nick Perry.

Then last year at Ford Field in the Division 1 championship the Cass Technicians thrashed Detroit Catholic Central, 49-13 to win the PSL’s second MHSAA trophy.

Also, Detroit Crockett (now East English Village) and King came within one game of joining Cass Tech at Ford Field. It is obvious that the abbreviate PSL has compact the talent pool and the result is the league is has set it vision beyond the City title.

Starting this weekend the MHSAA football Road to Ford Field commences.

DIVISION 1: Cass Tech (7-2) opens up at Grosse Pointe South (8-1) at 7:00 PM.

DIVISION 2: Detroit Cody (6-3) is at Oak Park (7-2) at 6:00 PM and King (6-3) will play at Southfield (6-3) at 4:00 PM.

DIVISION 3: Detroit Central Collegiate (6-3) visits St Clair (8-1) on Saturday at 7:00 PM and Marysville (6-3) comes to East English (7-2) at 7:00 PM.

DIVISION 4: Detroit Country Day (7-2) at Clinton Township Clintondale (9-0) at 7:00 PM; St Clair Shores South Lake (6-3) at Dearborn Heights Robichaud (8-1) at 7:00 PM; and Harper Woods Chandler (6-2) at Grosse Ile (8-1) at 7:00 PM.

DIVISION 5:Allen Park Cabrini (6-3) at River Rouge (9-0) at 7:00 PM and Almont (6-3) at Detroit University Prep (8-1) on Saturday at 3:00 PM.

DIVISION 6: Detroit Consortium (6-3) at Madison Heights Madison (8-1) at 7:00 PM.

DIVISION 7: Royal Oak Shrine Catholic (5-4) at Detroit Loyola (9-0) on Saturday at 1:00 PM at U of D Jesuit HS and Detroit Douglass (5-3) at Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (7-2) on Saturday at 3:00 PM.
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"We lost in the PSL Playoffs last year and won the state title," Cass Tech coach Thomas Wilcher explained. "Now we are in the same position this year. Will we have the same result. I sure hope so.”

So do I!!!!

All of the Finals games will be televised live on Fox Sports Detroit or Fox Sports Detroit PLUS and will be contested in Downtown Detroit at Ford Field. All games are on Friday unless otherwise noted.

Leland Stein can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at Twitter @lelandsteinIII

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Last Updated on Thursday, 25 October 2012 08:58

King outscores East English Village, wins city title

Category: Sports Written by Leland Stein, III

Photo: KING HIGH PSL champions. – Andre Smith photo

COMMENTARY

It may have been a dark and rainy evening in Downtown Detroit; however, the insulation of Ford Field allowed two of the Detroit Public School League’s (PSL) most acknowledged football programs – East English Village Prep (a merger of Crockett and Finney High Schools) and Martin Luther King High to unabatedly unleash all its football athleticism.

The result of Ford Field’s indoor environment produced one of the most exciting and wildest PSL championship games I have even seen.

I did not even play in the game, but when the Ford Field clock finally reached zero I was tired. In the end King held on to earn a 58-48 victory over East English.

After an incredible first quarter that saw East English take a commanding 20-0 lead, then I stood incredulous as King reeled off 32 consecutive points to take an eye popping 32-20 halftime lead into the locker room.

Following King’s tremendous comeback, coach Dale Harvel told me on his way to the locker room: “East English came out like a ball of fire and kicked us in the mouth. But, like we have done all season our guys did not get down, they just put their foot on the peddle. The fact of the matter is this game is not over and whoever has the ball last will probably win this game.”

Coach Harvel’s foreshadow was right on point as both team came back and fought and pushed and cajoled and fought in a second half of high school football that will be remembered for a long time.

The fact of the matter, this was a desperation game for King (6-3) as they came into the game with only five win, one short of the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s (MHSAA) requirement of six win for playoff inclusion.

“I feel so good about winning this game,” King senior quarterback Davaun Williams said. “I feel awesome for all the seniors, because this was do-or-die for us. If we lost this game our season was over. We have never gotten over the sting of them beating us in the City title game last year. It does not get much better than this.”

Said Harvel after the trophy presentation: “I have never coached in a game like this. I guess this is high school football at its best. That was a good football team we beat today. Both of these teams really wanted this game, I just think we had the ball last.

The second half was a mirror image of the first half. King came out and scored on its first possession of the second half to take what looked to me to be an insurmountable 39-20 lead.

But of course that was not enough as East English Bulldogs came roaring back and got the score at the end of the third quarter to 45-40 and going into the fourth and final quarter it was anybody’s game.

“I’m proud of how my guys did not quit,” East English coach Rod Oden said. “We started out with a bang, but that King team really showed me they have heart. Still we had our chances to win this game, we just ran out of time.”

King and East English, who have all the same coaches and many of the same players from when they were Crockett High, have started a enduring rivalry.

Coach Oden led Crockett to it second PSL title beating King in last year’s PSL title game 21-19. Oden and Crockett hoisted its first PSL title in 2004 when it beat King High.

This game had everything, interceptions, kickoff run backs, sacks, great runs from scrimmage and efficient passing attacks.

East English (7-2) tailback Desmond King injured his shoulder in the second quarter but came back to gain 146 yards on eight carries in the third quarter alone as the Bulldogs cut the lead to 45-40. He finished with 223 yards on 21 carries. “I knew my team needed me so I got it together and got back out there,” King said. “When I went out we had a 20-0 lead. I could see my team needed me.”

Crusaders junior running back Raymond Mitchell took charge in the second half and senior linebacker Sa’Von Thomas finally closed the door with a game ending interception.

Leland Stein can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Twitter @LelandSteinIII

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 October 2012 09:41

MAYOR BING BETS ON TIGERS IN FRIENDLY WAGER WITH MAYOR LEE

Category: Sports Written by Michigan Chronicle

DETROIT -- Detroit Mayor Dave Bing today joined San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee in a friendly wager on the outcome of the 2012 World Series between the Detroit Tigers and the San Francisco Giants. Games One and Two will be played Wednesday and Thursday in San Francisco before moving to Detroit’s Comerica Park on Saturday for Game Three, followed by Game Four and, if necessary, Game Five.

The Mayor of the losing city will travel to the winning city for a day of community service and a tour of important businesses based in that city. If the Tigers win, Mayor Lee will come to Detroit to tour the Chevy Volt factory – Mayor Lee’s official City vehicle is a Chevy Volt -- and learn more about Detroit’s leadership of the electric vehicle segment, as well as other innovative high-tech companies in Detroit. Mayor Lee will also participate in a day of service on behalf of the youth of Detroit. If the Giants win, Mayor Bing will travel to San Francisco to speak with young people in the Junior Giants program, and also to tour high-tech companies that have brought prominence to San Francisco.

“The Detroit Tigers have brought plenty of excitement and a lot of pride to the people of Detroit, the entire metro area and the state of Michigan during this post-season,” Mayor Bing said. “I am pleased to make this wager with Mayor Lee, because the Tigers have dominant pitching, they’re swinging big bats, and they’re playing great defense. As much as I enjoy visiting San Francisco and the Bay Area, I probably won’t get there anytime soon. I believe the Tigers have too much talent and too much momentum for the Giants in this Series.”

Nevetheless, San Francisco Mayor Lee holds out hope that the Giants can pull off yet another miracle after winning six straight elimination games during this year’s playoffs. “The San Francisco Giants are truly the comeback kids – this team never quits,” Mayor Lee said. “With the steel nerves of Romo, Zito, Vogelsong, Cain, Scutaro, Posey, and Pagan, and the managing prowess of Bruce Bochy, this team can stare down the toughest of opponents.”

Both mayors encourage all fans to treat each other with respect, to be safe and to practice good sportsmanship. In the end, the World Series celebrates the game of baseball, and rivalries should remain on the field.

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 24 October 2012 17:10

UM outlast MSU, earn last second win

Category: Sports Written by Leland Stein, III

Photo: CASS TECH’s Thomas Gordon (#30) helps corral Crockett’s Tony Lippett (#14). – Dan Graschuck photo

ANN ARBOR – Michigan State University came to the Big House before 113,833 and unveiled its metallic green helmets for its rivalry game at Michigan. I guess the Spartans were hoping they would also find a shiny new offense to go with those helmets.

They did not find that magical offense as it stayed dull and lifeless, getting shut out in the first half, and eventually losing 12-10.

In the lead up to this in-state rivalry game, much conversation centered around whether the Michigan State contest has become as important to the Wolverines as the Ohio State game.

I think many of those question were answered after UM kicker Brendan Gibbons nailed a 38 yard field goal with only five second left on the game clock, and, most of the sellout crowd stormed the field in a joyful demonstration that their Wolverines had finally knocked the Spartans off their lofty perch.

Sure the Ohio State contest had captivated the Michigan throng for too many years to recount and it is easy to see why. For three decades the Buckeyes and the Wolverines fought for Big Ten and national supremacy. All the while the Spartans were a cute little afterthought.

However, as evident by the Michigan fans unabated expression of pleasure and delight in finally beating Michigan State, after four torturous years of losing to the now every relevant Spartans.

Even if the UM players and coach Brady Hoke would not outwardly over express just how much they really wanted to beat MSU, the fans said it all.

Following the defensive battle produced by MSU’s and UM’s determined defenses, it mattered not to the thousands of fans that stormed the field.

In fact, I was slowly meandering across the stadium field and before I knew it I was caught in a mass of humanity that reminded my just how small we all are compared to a moving living breathing frenzied throng.

At the expense of MSU, Michigan earned its 900 win, becoming the first college to do so. The defensive win over the Spartans also was the Wolverines first victory at home where they did not score a touchdown. The last such victory was a 5-0 win over Purdue in 1995.

It is safe to say the University of Michigan and Michigan State University rivalry has moved into the Hatfields versus McCoys feud lore.

Most predicted that UM had a giant advantage coming into this contest especially after the Wolverines convincing shellacking of Illinois, blasting the Illini 45-0, and, MSU limped into Ann Arbor after losing its Homecoming contest against Iowa in East Lansing.

The winner of the Michigan–Michigan State football rivalry gets to hoist the Paul Bunyan–Governor of Michigan Trophy. The winner retains possession of the trophy until the next year's game. The trophy was first presented in 1953 (Michigan State's first year as a full Big Ten member) and is a four-foot-high wooden statue on a five-foot-high base. The series record for the Paul Bunyan Trophy is 34–23–2 for Michigan.

“Paul’s back,” U-M co-captain Jordan Kovacs said after the game. “It feels good — you feel like you got the monkey off the back. This is a big game year-in and year-out and you don’t want to go 0-and-4 (as seniors) in this game. We won it for those guys who were before us, too. They’re a part of this team. It wasn’t just for these seniors, for these underclassmen, it was for this program.”

Said former Cass Tech star and starting defensive tackle Will Campbell: “Yeah it was good to finally get a win over our state rival. But it was just one game and we have to start preparing for next week tomorrow. I know a lot of players on that Michigan State team and they are indeed a good team, but this is our day.”

The Wolverines improved to 5-2 on the season and 3-0 in the Legends Division. While the Spartans fell 4-4 and 1-3 in the Big Ten.

Leland Stein can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Twitter @LelandSteinIII

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 October 2012 09:25

Comeback Cats hope it’s a sign

Detroit Area schools have a strong presence on the road to Ford Field

King outscores East English Village, wins city title

MAYOR BING BETS ON TIGERS IN FRIENDLY WAGER WITH MAYOR LEE

UM outlast MSU, earn last second win

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