Farmington, Farmington Hills, Southfield

Farmington High football gets by Southfield High

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by David Schreiber Farmington High running back Jordan Degreffenreed runs through a Southfield High tackle Aug. 31 at Southfield. The senior helped lead the Falcons to a 14-6 victory. Photo by David Schreiber Farmington High running back Jordan Degreffenreed runs through a Southfield High tackle Aug. 31 at Southfield. The senior helped lead the Falcons to a 14-6 victory.

SOUTHFIELD — As Connor Mohr put it, losing wasn’t an option when the Farmington High football team visited Southfield High Aug. 31 in an Oakland Activities Association White Division showdown.

The Falcons kept true to their word, winning 14-6 in a game defined by big defensive stops and missed opportunities.

“We really wanted this win, and we weren’t leaving without one,” said Mohr, the Falcons' senior running back and linebacker.

Farmington struck first on a 43-yard scamper by Jordan Degreffenreed midway through the first quarter.

Southfield High answered with just over nine minutes left in the second when Brandon Bean hauled in a 21-yard fade for six points, but the Blue Jays failed to convert the extra point making it 7-6.

Southfield had a handful of other chances to take control including a 17-play drive that took over 10 minutes off of the clock in the third quarter, but the Blue Jays fumbled at the Farmington 1-yard line, which was recovered by Mohr.

“That was huge,” Mohr said. “After that, it felt like we dominated the game.”

On Southfield’s next possession, Bean had a 27-yard reception that would have put the Blue Jays again at Farmington’s 1-yard line, but it was negated by a holding call. Southfield eventually punted.

The Falcons' last score of the game came with 3:29 left as Curtis Brunson forced a fumble in the Blue Jays’ end zone and Chadd Wilyard recovered it.

“In games like these, your good players have to make plays, and I think we did,” Farmington coach John Bechtel said. “It was team effort. It was every kid.”

Farmington goes to 2-0 and 1-0 in the White. Up next, the Falcons take on Southfield-Lathrup at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at Lathrup.

Southfield goes to 1-1 and 0-1 in the division. It visits North Farmington at 7 p.m. Sept 7.

“This is one of those games that we’re going to learn a lot from,” Southfield coach Tim Conley said.

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