Eisenhower takes Swinehart Stadium battle in 34-7 win over Utica

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — It doesn’t get much better than a rivalry game in any sport, but Utica and Utica Eisenhower have an extra element to their neighborhood clash.

With both schools playing their home football games at Swinehart Stadium, which is located next to Utica High School, Utica (3-5) and Utica Eisenhower (7-1) went head-to-head for not just city bragging rights, but to claim the territory both call home.

“They’re crosstown rivals and we share the same field, so for me it’s like a battle for the field,” Eisenhower senior Cody Raymond said. “We always have to take Utica seriously because of the fact that it’s a rivalry game and you never know what’s going to happen.”

On Oct. 13 at Swinehart Stadium, Eisenhower proved again why it’s one of the top teams in Macomb County in a convincing 34-7 win over Utica just a week after being crowned co-league champions in the Macomb Area Conference Red following a 31-0 win over Macomb Dakota. 

Eisenhower senior quarterback Preston Crum, who threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Utica, connected with senior wideouts Hayden Bills and Brandon Kedrow to take an early 13-0 lead in the first quarter.

Eisenhower senior running back Kamari Charles continued his sensational season with 96 rushing yards and a touchdown to give Eisenhower the 20-7 lead at halftime.

The Eagles put the finishing touches on the game with rushing touchdowns from Crum and senior Devin Steele. Junior wide receiver Connor Temple had six receptions for 80 yards in the win.

Now 7-1 on the year, Eisenhower’s transformation from a 1-8 season two years ago and a 6-4 season last year has been something special to watch.

The group of seniors has grown together and has been through wins and losses, and this year has brought a plethora of games in the win column for the experienced squad, including a MAC Red title.

“It’s definitely something these kids earned and have really worked hard for the past few years just to get to this point,” Eisenhower coach Christopher Smith said. “Now, they can call themselves champions. It’s something special for them.”

Eisenhower will have a strong tuneup game for the state tournament against Clarkston on Oct. 20 at Swinehart Stadium to close out the 2023 regular season before districts. 

Eisenhower fell in the first round of districts last season in a loss to Dakota, but the seniors are prepared to give it everything they got to end their high school careers on a high note.

“These kids really work hard and get better every day at practice,” Smith said. “We’re just doing some of the little things a little better than we were earlier in the season, and kids are getting confidence in all those things.”

Utica will close the 2023 regular season on Oct. 19 when it hosts Farmington.