Grosse Pointe Farms

South football season ends after playoff loss to Detroit Cass Tech

By Mark Vest
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Roy Feldman Quarterback Ryan Liagre prepares to pass the ball during Grosse Pointe South’s loss to Detroit Cass Tech in an opening-round playoff game. Although the Blue Devils’ season has come to an end, they have an 8-2 record and a MAC Blue championship to show for their effort. Photo by Roy Feldman Quarterback Ryan Liagre prepares to pass the ball during Grosse Pointe South’s loss to Detroit Cass Tech in an opening-round playoff game. Although the Blue Devils’ season has come to an end, they have an 8-2 record and a MAC Blue championship to show for their effort.

Grosse Pointe South’s football season ended Friday following a 37-3 loss to Detroit Cass Tech in an opening-round playoff game.

Cass Tech running back Mike Weber got things started, scoring on a 30-yard run and giving his team a 6-0 lead with about seven minutes remaining in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Technicians created some distance between themselves and the Blue Devils, who were playing in their first Division 1 playoff game.

Another touchdown run by Weber, and two by running back Gary Hosey, highlighted a 21-point offensive outburst by Cass Tech, giving the Technicians a 27-3 lead at the half.

Liam Mcllroy kicked a 31-yard field goal, giving South its lone points in the second quarter.

The Technicians added a field goal and a 38-yard run by Hosey in the fourth quarter to cap off their scoring

Cass Tech is the defending Division 1 state champion, and South coach Tim Brandon understood coming in that the Technicians were a team that presented its share of challenges.

“Tough draw,” he said. “They’re a good football team. We knew we had to play clean to win this football game and get a few breaks, and we didn’t play clean. We could have played better. But they’re a great team. All the credit goes to them.”

While it won’t have the opportunity to advance, South has plenty of positives to build off of for next season.

The Blue Devils’ list of accomplishments include making the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, which Brandon said is a first in program history, winning a league championship for the third time in the last four seasons, beating Grosse Pointe North for the third consecutive year — which had not been previously done in the 44-year history of the rivalry — and posting a regular-season record of 8-1, which had last occurred in 1989.

Brandon hopes his team will focus on those accomplishments when reflecting on the 2012 season.

“This going to hurt for a period of time,” he said. “But as the hurt dissipates, we’re going to realize we did have a great season.

“Eight and two is a great season, and I’m proud of the seniors for the foundation they’ve built. Now it’s time for the juniors and sophomores to take up the yoke, and get back in the weight room and get back to work and get ready for next season.”

Brandon believes that there are now certain expectations that have been created for the football program.

“This is the kind of success we’re expecting of ourselves now,” he said. “We’re not going into seasons anymore looking for average success. We’re looking for division championships, playoffs (and) wins. This is what we expect out of ourselves.”

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