Stevenson falls in state title game

Stevenson played in the state championship for the fourth time in school history on Saturday, facing Catholic Central at Ford Field in Detroit.
However, like their three previous tries in the title game, the Titans fell short, dropping a 31-21 decision to the Shamrocks.
The key in the game was Catholic Central's ground attack, which had pounded each of its opponents throughout the season, did the same to the Titans.
The Shamrocks ran for 365 yards on 63 carries. The dynamic duo of Anthony Capatina (189 yards, 2 scores) and 6-2, 245-pound Niko Palazeti (146 yards, 2 scores) proved to be too much for Stevenson's defense to handle.
Stevenson played well in spurts as quarterback Jason Fracassa finished the game by completing 15-of-34 passes for 293 yards and two scores, including a 75-yard strike to wide receiver D.J. Mershman in the third quarter. Mershman finished the game with six receptions for 162 yards.
The loss ended Stevenson's season at 13-1 overall. It was a sensational season for the Titans, especially throughout the playoffs as they played without running backs Justice Wright and Mike Kirksey after each went out with injuries after their first-round win over Roseville.
Wright and Kirksey each played some in the final game, but were very limited. Wright, playing with a torn ACL, did catch a 3-yard TD pass from Fracassa in the fourth quarter.
With its two running backs sidelined, Stevenson was forced to go to the air on practically every play in their playoff wins against Warren Mott, Detroit Southeastern and Clarkston. However, Fracassa and the rest of the offense met the challenge, as did the defense, allowing Stevenson to play for the state championship.
Were you at the game? If you were, I'd love to get your thoughts on what transpired and talk about what this year's Stevenson football team accomplished.
Let's blog.

Exciting Friday night of sports

Hello bloggers!!!
Friday night is sure to be an exciting night of sports around the area.
It the second week of the football playoffs and three area teams are still alive as Stevenson plays host to Warren Mott, Eisenhower travels to Dakota, and Romeo goes on the road to face Clarkston.
All three of these match-ups are rematches as the Titans defeated the Marauders 49-21 in Week 9 of the regular season. Eisenhower beat Dakota in Week 8 of the regular season 24-8, while Romeo ended Clarkston's season a year ago in the playoffs.
All three games should be worth seeing. I will be at the Eisenhower-Dakota game, while Source associate editor Don Chamberlain will be covering the battle between Stevenson and Warren Mott.

Football isn't the only sport taking the stage on Friday night as three area teams will be looking for district hardware in the state volleyball tournament.
At Sterling Heights, the host Stallions will face Eisenhower in the championship game slated to begin at 6 p.m. During the MAC Blue Division season, the Stallions defeated the Eagles in both meetings. However, both matches went five games. I'm going out on a limb and will predict another five-game marathon match in the final.
Also, Parkway Christian will look to win its first-ever district volleyball title when it faces Macomb Christian in the championship game at Marine City Cardinal Mooney on Friday night.

Good luck to our area teams and if you're at one of these games, give me your thoughts on what happened.

Enjoy the games.