Ferndale

Back where they belong

By Christian Davis
C & G Staff Writer

Lahser football seizes control of division; qualifies for playoffs

FERNDALE — Bloomfield Hills Lahser football coach Dan Loria took it all in Oct. 10 at Ferndale High.

The Knights had just outlasted the host team 10-6 and seized control of the Oakland Activities Association Blue Division, as both teams entered the contest undefeated in the division.

After going 2-7 a season ago, it had been too long for the coach since the Knights played a game with championship implications.

“I told them (his team) that last year was a tough year for us,” he said. “I told them, ‘You earned the right to be on this field tonight against a 6-0 football team, and we’re 5-1. You have everything to be proud of.’”

To a man, the Knights said the struggle of last season in the Red Division — against much larger schools — prepared them for this year.

“Just seeing the team struggle week in and week out and not give up taught us a lot this year, I think,” said senior linebacker Benjamin Williams.

“I can’t even begin to describe how I feel about that,” senior defensive back Michael Hafeli said. “Just the way our seniors went out last year … this whole season is for them.”

Lahser had made the playoffs five straight seasons before last year. With the win against the Eagles, it will once again join the postseason after improving to 6-1 overall.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, committing 10 total turnovers, but the Knights held a 3-0 lead at the break after a 39-yard field goal by junior Cody Henderson.

The Knights then went up 10-0 after senior running back Tevin Gibson scored on an 8-yard run midway through the third.

The Eagles answered on the following possession with a 3-yard touchdown run by senior Kevin Sampson, but the extra point was blocked.

The Eagles would eventually drive down to as far as the Knights’ 32 late in the fourth before being turned away.

Loria admitted that the Knights didn’t play their best game, committing four turnovers and some costly penalties, but he said to come away with a victory on the road spoke volumes about the team.

“I think it defines us as a football team,” he said. “At some point, you’re going to be asked to dig a little deeper, and we say, ‘That’s on you guys. How deep can you go?’ And they dug and they dug and they dug.

“They’re great kids, they really are. They have fun, and they do it the right way.”

Lahser next hosts Hazel Park High at 7 p.m. Oct. 17. A win would clinch at least a share of the Blue championship.

Williams said he doesn’t see his team letting up after getting the key win against the Eagles.

“No chance,” he said.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1062.