Farmington, Farmington Hills

Oak Park High football downs Farmington Hills Harrison

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by David Schreiber Oak Park High's Malik Washington makes his way to the end zone against Farmington Hills Harrison Oct. 5 at home. Oak Park won 26-21. Photo by David Schreiber Oak Park High's Malik Washington makes his way to the end zone against Farmington Hills Harrison Oct. 5 at home. Oak Park won 26-21.

OAK PARK — Oak Park High sophomore running back John Kelly had one thought when Farmington Hills Harrison kicked off late in the fourth quarter.

“At all times, I’m thinking about making a big play,” he said.

Kelly did just that, returning the kick 80 yards for the game-winning score with 4:57 left in the game Oct. 5 at home.

Oak Park beat Harrison 26-21 to go to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the Oakland Activities Association White Division.

“It feels good to get a win against a great team,” Oak Park coach Greg Carter said.

The Knights made it look easy early, taking a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter after a 50-yard run by Malik Washington and a 2-yard score by Kelly.

Oak Park was looking to extending that lead until Harrison defensive back Garius Coleman picked off a pass and returned it to Oak Park territory. It took the Hawks six plays to capitalize when running back Eddie Huckleby scored from 5 yards out to make it 14-7 heading into the half.

The Hawks kept the momentum going, scoring on their first possession of the second half when running back Lorenzo Collins scored on a 7-yard run to tie it at 14.

That’s when Kelly made another big play, intercepting Harrison’s pass and returning it to the 1-yard line. From there, running back Mario Morris punched it in, though the Knights failed on the extra point, making it 20-14.

Harrison took its only lead in the game with 5:09 left in the fourth when Collins again punched it in, this time from 2-yards away. Steven Frederick’s extra point made it 21-20, but on the following kickoff, Kelly broke several tackles on his way to the winning score.

“I thought we fought back and that we had the game,” Harrison coach John Herrington said. “That’s the way it’s been in our losses. We haven’t closed them.”

The Hawks go to 4-3 overall and 3-3 in the White. Up next is rival Farmington High at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at Farmington.

Oak Park looks to stay perfect, going on the road against Oxford High at 7 p.m. Oct. 12.

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