By Devlin Francis ’15 | Staff Writer

Defeating Lakeview 34-0, the Grosse Pointe South Varsity Football team improved to 6-3 on the season, and earned a playoff berth.

“We’re very happy, very pleased with everything,” said Head Coach Tim Brandon.

South truly dominated Lakeview on both sides of the ball, scoring four touchdowns and two field goals offensively, and not allowing a single point defensively.

“We felt confident going in, and expected the win tonight,” said Captain Tristan Russano ’14. “But we never underestimated them, and practiced real hard to get here.”

Quarterback Richie Kish ’14 threw a 32 yard touchdown pass to receiver Jordan Spratt ’14,  and ran for one as well on a 2 yard quarterback keep. Running back Sam Hunter ’15 also rushed for a 7 yard score, while quarterback Sam Blanzy connected with his twin brother, receiver Brian Blanzy, both ’15, on a  35 yard touchdown pass.

Both of kicker Andrew Fabry’s ’15 field goal attempts, along with his 4 point after attempts, were good as well.

The defense simply dominated Lakeview the entire game, Russano said.

“We didn’t want to give up a point, and let them score,” said Russano. “This was really just a way of showing everyone how good we really are as a unit.”

The South defense also forced two turnovers, first a Lakeview fumble which South recovered, and then an interception by Captain Josh Gray ’14.

Winning this game was key to making the playoffs, Captain Bennett Jackson ’14 said.

“We really needed this win to make the playoffs, and we went out there and took it for ourselves,” said Jackson.

The game was very emotional for the team, as a result of both the playoff berth riding on it, and the recent death of former South football star Renell Perkins ’13 on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Perkins was found dead in his dorm room at William-Penn University in Iowa on Thursday night, as a result of diabetic shock, South Assistant Coordinator Doug Roby said.

“After losing our brother, Renell Perkins, this was a very emotional game, and we went out there and won it for him,” said Russano.

Brandon is very proud of his teams ability to deal with the circumstances that arose from the tragedy, he said.

“It was a tough day, an emotionally draining day, a physically draining day, and for them to be able to come out here and perform like this, it’s just tremendous,” said Brandon. “It shows the kind of team, and the kind of young men they are.”

The game was played for Perkins, and the team had no intentions of losing, Russano said.

“We all know that Renell was with us today,” said Brandon. “On a day like today, he was here, supporting us.”

Perkins’ father was in attendance at the game, Brandon said.

“I saw Mr. Perkins before the game, and talked to him a little bit, gave him a hug,” said Brandon. “Obviously the entire families going through something very difficult right now, and it meant a lot to us that he came out to represent Renell, and it meant a lot to him that we played the way we did in honor of Renell. We’re going to do whatever we can to support the family, and whatever we can to support each other, to move forward.”

Going forward into the playoffs, the team will do whatever they can in memory of Renell, and try to continue to honor him through winning, Brandon said.

“The best thing we can do is stay focused on the task at hand,” said Brandon. “That’s what Renell was all about, and that’s what he would’ve wanted us to do. We’re going to try to keep moving forward, and we’re going to do it for Renell.”

For more information on the life of Renell Perkins and the upcoming playoff game, check with the upcoming Oct. 30 issue of the Tower Newspaper.

Photos by Luke Kirtley ’15 | Web Director