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November 13, 2009 Finally, it is here, the game I have been waiting for ever since the MHSAA Tournament pairings were announced. The best team in the city of Detroit against the best team in Metro-Detroit. Detroit Southeastern (10-1) @ Sterling Heights Stevenson (11-0). With no offense to the defending state champs over at Rockford, these might be the two best teams in the state right now. With so much talent on each team, this has the chance to be the best game of the year. I'll breakdown the game for you to give you a preview of what to expect tonight.Players to Watch Southeastern features some of the most talented players in the state. William Gholston, the #1 ranked player in the state, is poised to have a major impact on the game. I expect him to be all over the field tonight. Johnathon Hankins will be in charge of trenches for the Jungaleers. At 6'6" 240lbs, Hankins has the ability to disrupt the Titan running game by clogging the gaps. Safety Daniel Burke might be the most important player on the field for the Southeastern Defense as he will lead the secondary against the best passing attack in the state. Finally, QB Edward Thomas will once again shoulder the load for the Southeastern Offense. This is a statement game for Thomas who is looking to put last season's playoff loss to Dearborn Fordson behind him. Meanwhile, Stevenson is ranked #1 in the state for a reason. They also have a ton of talent led by senior QB Jason Fracassa. The Stevenson QB holds numerous career and single season MHSAA passing records. Fracassa, has two outstanding wide receivers to throw the ball to in Marcus Beaurem and D.J. Mershman. OT/DT Carl Davis will have to deal with Hankins and Gholston all night long. Charlie Walker leads the Titan Defense. Like Gholston, Walker will be buzzing around the ball all game long. Southeastern Offense vs. Stevenson Defense After shouldering the burden for last season's playoff loss to Fordson, Ed Thomas will be hungry to prove himself against a quality defense. He must limit his turnovers to give his team a shot to win. Southeastern runs a form of the Spread Offense and will look to utilize RB Paris Powell. If Powell can have a strong game that will help Thomas relax and make plays. The Jungaleers will need to have a threat of the pass in order to keep Walker and the rest of the Titans honest. The Stevenson Defense has been stout all year long. They will look to put the heat on Thomas by sending the blitz. If Stevenson can put some heat on Thomas, he has shown that he will make mistakes. Advantage: Stevenson Stevenson Offense vs. Southeastern Defense Stevenson will be without RB Justice Wright due to injury. This is a HUGE blow to the Titan Offense as Wright was their best option in the running game and was a very good receiver coming out of the backfield. The loss of Wright really looked to hinder the Titan Offense against Mott last week. A lot with be put on the right arm of Fracassa to lead his team to victory. Without the threat of Wright on the field, Gholston and company can pin their ears back and rush the passer. Stevenson likes to roll the pocket which could play right into the hands of Southeastern. Gholston will line up in different positions; sometimes at OLB in a two-point stance, other times as a DE in a three-point stance. With Hankins in the middle, Gholston is free to go after Fracassa. Advantage: Southeastern X-Factor Special Teams could play a big role in the game tonight. It seems like such a simple part of the game but Stevenson has a good kicker in David Brown. On touchdown scored, Stevenson will be able to put up the extra point while Southeastern will be going for two. If this turns out to be a tough defensive game like I think it might, Brown has the leg to kick a 40-yard Field Goal. Advantage: Stevenson Coaching Southeastern Head Coach Donshell English has turned the Jungaleers into the best team in the P.S.L. He has kept his team focused throughout the year. Even after Southeastern had to forfeit a win in the City Playoffs, which gave them their only loss and meant they were kicked out of the City Championship Game, Southeastern rebounded by beating a good Brother Rice team. Rick Bye has been at Stevenson for over 30 years and has a reputation as being one of the best coaches in the state. He has done it all EXCEPT for capturing a state title. This is a huge game for him as this might be his best shot to win it all. Fracassa and company will be gone next year so look for him to empty out his bag of tricks tonight. Advantage: Stevenson Prediction I have seen both of these teams numerous times throughout the season and this was a tough game to pick. At the beginning of the playoffs I picked Stevenson to win the whole thing so it is hard to go against them. Unfortunately, I think the loss of Justice Wright will be too much for the Titans to overcome. Without the threat of the run, Fracassa will be under duress all night long. Pick: Southeastern 14-10 |
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