St. Clair Shores

South Lake football team humbled after first division loss since 2009

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Erin Sanchez St. Clair Shores South Lake will look to rebound after dropping its first divisional game since 2009. Pictured issenior running back Deshun Brown. Photo by Erin Sanchez St. Clair Shores South Lake will look to rebound after dropping its first divisional game since 2009. Pictured issenior running back Deshun Brown.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Until a tough 29-26 loss to Madison Heights Madison Sept. 15, the St. Clair Shores South Lake football team hadn’t lost to a divisional opponent in more than two years.

The setback was the Cavaliers’ first as members of the Macomb Area Conference Silver Division.

South Lake (3-1, 1-1 MAC Silver at press time) moved to the Silver after going 5-0 and winning the Gold in 2010 and 2011.

“I think we needed that loss,” Cavs coach Chanterius Brock said. “A couple of weeks ago, I told the team we might need to take a loss because our heads were inflated. I don’t think it would’ve done us any good to go 9-0 and then get whooped in the playoffs.

“The loss gives us a chance to reflect and take seriously the things we need to work on.”

Brock said the errors the team has been making aren’t related to technique. He cited penalties and finishing plays as areas he has been stressing in practice since the Sept. 15 loss.

The first-year Cavs coach said he’s not too upset by some of the flags his team has drawn because it shows his team is playing hard.

“But they’re not quick fixes,” Brock said. “We’re almost five games into the season, and we’re still making some mistakes. But the regular season is really a trial run to prepare us for the playoffs.

“Not to overlook the rest of our opponents, but I think we’ll get the three wins we need to qualify for the playoffs, so that’s what we’re preparing for.”

South Lake’s Sept. 21 game with St. Clair Shores Lakeview took place after press time.

“I think we’re doing all right right now, but moving up a division, we knew we’d see tougher teams.” Cavs senior linebacker Delshawn Dukes said. “Losing that game hurt, but it showed us we can’t overlook anybody or just think we have it easy.”

Dukes leads a defense that was allowing 15.3 points per game at press time. The South Lake offense, which is putting up 36.8 points per contest, is led by senior quarterback Travon DeSaussure. The Cavs point production is up 11 points from last season, when South Lake finished 8-2.

“We’re still improving in a lot of areas because we have a whole new coaching staff and playbook,” Cavs senior defensive end Jordon Culver said. “We know there’s a lot of things to work on, and we’re working hard.”

South Lake next hits the field for a matchup with Clawson, set for 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at Clawson.
 

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jason Carmel Davis at jdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1107. Follow Jason Carmel on Twitter.