Friday, September 20 was South Varsity Football’s home opener of the 2019 season. They are 2-1 so far beating Henry Ford and Warren mott, but falling to the Birmingham Groves at a showcase at Wayne State. Due to construction to the new track at South’s field they have been forced to play the first three games away from home.

“It’s always tough when you don’t have a home game for the first few games and it makes it even tougher this year because we couldn’t practice with the field being close,” Coach Brandon said. “It’s been an adverse situation, but we are 2-1 and the kids have overcome it and are playing well.”

The team bounced back well after dropping the first game 34-21 to Birmingham,  Quarterback Alex Shaheen ‘20 struggled in that game with two crucial turnovers leading to 14 points for the Groves. He is now very confident as he tries to extend to teams win streak from two games to three.

“We’ve prepared for the game by doing what we always do, watching lots of film from their previous games, we feel confident in our team going into this game,” Shaheen said.

The team prepared all week as the game was highly anticipated by not just the players and coaches, but the students as well. And when gameday came, the student section was packed in tight.

“Freshman and Sophomore year my friends and I would be up in the student section and we thought playing down on that field on Friday nights was so cool, and now I get to experience that first hand,” Shaheen said.

The Blue Devils played a great game winning 35-0, key players were Owen Bollaert ‘20 with three interceptions on the defensive side and Alex Shaheen who threw multiple touchdowns, including a long bomb to AJ Benson ‘20. Danny Maksym ‘21 said the team was very clinical and it paid off in the end.

“I think the team executed very well, when a play broke down Alex [Shaheen] bailed us out with a great play,” Maksym said. “the coaches did a very good job getting us prepared, none of this would be possible without perfecting the little things.”

“The excitement of the home crowd and the fans always gives us more energy because the student section is such a raucous, I almost wish more people came to support us during away games, but it’s always great to play in front of friends, family, and other people who support us,” Brandon said.