Grosse Pointes

Grosse Pointe South wins rivalry game against North for third consecutive year

By Mark Vest
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Grosse Pointe North's Robert Tillman attempts to break up a pass meant for South tight end Neal Fleming. South's victory over North automatically qualified the Blue Devils for a playoff spot. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Grosse Pointe North's Robert Tillman attempts to break up a pass meant for South tight end Neal Fleming. South's victory over North automatically qualified the Blue Devils for a playoff spot.

In Friday night's matchup against Grosse Pointe North, the Blue Devils from Grosse Pointe South did something they had never done in the history of the 44-year-old rivalry between the two schools — they defeated the Norsemen for the third consecutive season.

South accomplished that feat via a field goal of approximately 35 yards by Liam Mcllroy with 45.6 seconds remaining in the game, which gave his team a 17-15 lead and iced the victory for the Blue Devils.

South coach Tim Brandon was happy to see his squad add a new wrinkle to the rivalry with back-to-back-to-back victories over North.

“It was huge,” he said. “ It’s a history-making win. We’ve never beaten them three times in a row. Everybody stepped up. Defense picked up the offense. We came back in the end. The linemen started blocking, doing what they had to do. It was just a great win."

Things were looking good for the Norsemen early, as they scored the first 12 points of the game courtesy of a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sean Mchale to wide receiver Taiwan Wiggins and an interception by defensive back Corey Pierce, which he returned for a 56-yard touchdown run.

An interception returned for a touchdown by linebacker Jack Fry in the first quarter and a 4-yard touchdown run in the third quarter by running back Renell Perkins accounted for South’s trips to the end zone, giving the Blue Devils a 14-12 lead.

North was able to re-claim the lead later in the third quarter courtesy of a field goal by Michael Bylski. The Norsemen held onto that lead until Mcllroy’s kick with under a minute left to play in the game.

North coach Frank Sumbera was disappointed his team couldn't come away with the victory, despite five turnovers from South.

"Penalties just kept giving them position to keep moving the ball," he said. "We had it in the beginning, a 12-0 lead, but we didn't hang on to it."

Perkins rushed for 69 yards for South, while Mchale carried the ball 10 times for the Norsemen and rushed for 63 yards.

Wiggins and Mchale also had two interceptions apiece for the Norsemen.
Aside from making history in their rivalry series against North on Friday, the Blue Devils also picked up their sixth victory of the season (6-1 overall, 4-0 Macomb Area Conference Blue Division), which assures them of a playoff spot.

South will also continue to take aim at a MAC Blue title, when it takes to the road against Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse  at 7 p.m. Oct. 12.

North now sits at 4-3 overall, 2-2 MAC Blue, and is next scheduled to be in action at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 against Port Huron Northern.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mark Vest at mvest@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1112. Follow Mark on Twitter.