By Devlin Francis ’15 | Staff Writer

It all began in the fall of 2010. It continued through 2011 and 2012. Then on Friday, Oct. 11, it happened.

After years of struggle against crosstown rival Grosse Pointe North, the South Varsity Football team won their fourth consecutive game against North 21-10, the longest win streak in school history.

“I don’t know if in my 24 years of coaching if I’ve ever been more proud of a group of young men than I am of them,” said Head Coach Tim Brandon.

The win was a very hard fought victory, and feels especially good being against North, Brandon said.

“The North South rivalry, it’s one of the best in the country,” said Brandon. “The fans are great, the tug of war (at halftime) is great, everything about this rivalry is great. This is the greatest rivalry in the state of Michigan if you ask me.”

South struggled offensively in the first half, outside of an 81 yard touchdown pass from Richie Kish to Jordan Spratt, both ’14, in the first quarter. Kish threw an interception in the first half as well.

“Those were the big plays we needed,” said Brandon. “We didn’t get much of them in the first half, but they came in the second.”

Defensively South did a good job stopping North, with the exception of a 74 yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and a field goal as time expired in the second quarter. South trailed 10-7 at halftime.

During halftime, North beat South in the tug of war contest. However, the loss did not set the tone for the remainder of the game.

South came out as a whole new team after halftime, Brandon said.

“(The players) really stepped it up and took it too (North) in the second half,”  said Brandon. “The change in attitude, when we started getting it to them – that was the turning point.”

The third quarter lacked excitement, as neither team scored a point during those 12 minutes. Kish also threw his second interception of the night during the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, everything changed.

With just over eight minutes left in the game, Sam Hunter ’15 rushed for a touchdown, giving South the lead with a score of 14-10 after the extra point.

That play was not all Hunter though, Brandon said.

“Not to take anything away from Sammy, but it was actually the linemen’s performances,” Brandon. “In the beginning they were a little tentative, they weren’t getting off the ball, and we were getting knocked back a little bit, but I think once we started to get first downs they really got confident, and were staying pad level low, and they really started taking the game to them. The holes opened up for Sammy, and Sammy’s a great running back, so you give him that, he’s going to take it.”

The next drive Ryan Liagre ’15 followed suit, rushing for a touchdown of his own. Following the PAT, South lead 21-10, which turned out to be the final play of the game.

Defensively, the team played phenomenally during the entire second half. They refused to give up a single point during that time, and ended with two turnovers, both interceptions by Captain Josh Gray ’14 in the final two minutes.

“We didn’t want to give up another point to them,” said Captain Caleb Cimmarrusti ’14. “We came out on top because we didn’t crumble, and when things got tough we stayed together and stayed unified as a team.”

The victory set the school record for most consecutive wins against North with four, Captain Bennett Jackson ’14 said.

“It’s amazing,” said Jackson. “Four years in a row… it’s great.”

This win is relief on what has been a very exciting week, Cimmarrusti said.

“The entire week I couldn’t think of anything but the game, and I’m glad it’s over,” said Cimmarrusti. “Our hard work all week paid off, and this was a great win against a great team.”

Following the game, Hunter was named Most Valuable Player for the game, and awarded a trophy and medal.

“It feels good and I’m honored, but it’s all about going forward,” said Hunter. “We can’t look past the next two games, we have to win them and make playoffs, baby, 6-3.”

After starting a dismal 1-3 on the season, South has now won three straight games to improve to 4-3 and move past the .500 mark. When just three weeks ago the playoffs looked like a dream, they now appear closer than ever, Brandon said.

“We’ve got beatable teams, we’re on a roll, and we’re going to try to take it to the playoffs,” said Jackson.

Brandon also sees the team doing well for the remainder of the season, he said.

“We have to finish the job,” said Brandon. “We have to beat L’Anse Creuse next week to get our division championship, then we have to go beat Lakeview to get our playoff spot.”

The team regrets losing to L’Anse Creuse North earlier in the season, and losing the right to an outright MAC Blue Division Championship, but is still fine sharing it with L’Anse Creuse North, Brandon said.

“It’s a little sad we lost that game in the last minute to L’Anse Creuse North, or (the division championship) could have been ours, by ourselves, but I’ll take a share of it,” said Brandon. “After starting off 1-3, I’ll take a share.”

Both games will be tough, but are winnable, Brandon said.

“No game is an automatic win,” said Brandon. “It’s two games that we should be favored in, but we have to finish the job, and achieve our goal of making the playoffs.”

Photos by Harrison Krasner ’14

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