Southfield

Mighty Maples

By Christian Davis
C & G Staff Writer

Photo by Philip Southern Birmingham Seaholm senior Adam Fenton prepares for kickoff Sept. 5 at Southfield High. Fenton is a force on defense at linebacker and has verbally committed to Central Michigan University.

Southfield High football runs past Birmingham Seaholm

Birmingham Seaholm football duo making things happen on the field

SOUTHFIELD — First it was Birmingham Seaholm senior linebacker Adam Fenton making four straight tackles — two for losses — Sept. 5 at Southfield High.

And when the Maples got the ball back, it was senior tight end Mitch Kessel’s turn to shine, striding down the sidelines and making two straight catches for 34 yards.

But for University of Cincinnati-bound Kessel and Central Michigan University-bound Fenton, it’s all in a nights work.

The three-year varsity members have made themselves pillars on their respective sides of the ball. And though on this night the Maples lost 46-7 and fell to 0-2 overall, the effort is always there.

Kessel is a nightmare for defensive coordinators, and Fenton is the same for any opposing quarterback.

“(They’re) unbelievable,” Seaholm coach Chris Fahr said of his two standouts. “When Mitch goes out there, two people have to account for him, and, hopefully, we can make them pay in other areas. On defense, they run away from (Fenton), and then he chases them down. Or they run at him, and he does his job.

“Adam is vicious. He hits extremely hard. He loves contact. Mitch is the same way. He gets his hands on you and blocks until the whistle. Both of them play very aggressive.”

It was their aggressiveness that first caught Fahr’s eye and led him to believe they could some day play in the college ranks.

Fahr said he remembers seeing Kessel as an eighth-grader towering over his classmates at 6 feet 3 inches. He currently stands 6 feet 5 inches and is 250 pounds.

“I saw him run around a little bit, and I knew he had the physical tools to do special things,” Fahr said. “Once I saw him work out his sophomore year … I knew right then that he was probably going to make it.”

As for Fenton, Fahr knew he was something special after he recorded three sacks in his first game on varsity.

But it wasn’t until the coach saw his linebacker’s work ethic that he knew he could be a D-1 college player.

“He’s married to the weight room,” Fahr said. “That’s just what he loves to do. His résumé is amazing. He doesn’t eat sweets; he doesn’t drink pop. It’s just amazing watching him go about his business.”

Both players said it’s been a goal of theirs to play D-1 college football. Kessel said he’s wanted to play football in college ever since he was a little kid, while Fenton said he thought it could be a reality for him after he received his first recruiting letter as a sophomore.

“When you’re young, you’re like, ‘I wish I could do this and I’m going to work for it,’” Fenton said. “Then (I received the letter) and it made me work twice as hard.”

But while bigger crowds and larger stages await them, right now their sole focus is on the Maples.

“That’s all we have on our minds,” Fenton said.

“We want to do the best we can and hopefully get a little rock on our fingers,” said Kessel, referring to a state championship ring.

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