Sports
Groves Ends Football Season with 53-7 Playoffs Loss to Southfield
The Falcons are eliminated from the post-season, finishing 6-4 overall.
’s season came to an end Saturday night as the Falcons lost at home to Southfield, 53-7, in the first round of the state football playoffs.
Senior running back Keon Collier had another solid game for Birmingham Groves (6-4), rushing for 128 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, but it was not enough for the Falcons to overcome a talented Southfield team. Collier’s 68-yard touchdown run in the third quarter were the only points for Groves in the game.
Southfield (7-3) scored on all six of its first-half possessions, as the Groves defense was unable to slow down a potent offense led by quarterback Justin Danzy and running back Brandon Watkins. The Bluejays led 46-0 at halftime.
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Despite Saturday's loss, Groves had one of its best seasons in recent memory, winning six games and qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2004. The Falcons also won their first division title since 2003, and beat cross-town rival in the regular season finale.
Groves coach Brendan Flaherty said after the game that he believes the program is headed in the right direction.
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“It was great to get back on track with a winning record, making the playoffs and beating Seaholm,” Flaherty said. “We turned the corner, but we have a long ways to go. We were playing six sophomores and a freshman today, so I think our future’s pretty bright.”
Collier will end his Groves career as the school’s all-time leading rusher. After the game, Collier said making the playoffs was a huge step forward for the Falcons.
“As a program, we’re trying to turn it around, get everybody to come back in and get some wins,” Collier said. “We just have to progress every year, and I’m always (going to be) a Falcon and I want them to do well.”
Collier said he has yet to decide where he will continue his career at the collegiate level, but the lessons he learned from his coaching staff in high school will help him find success.
“(Assistant) Coach (Kirk) Duncan’s the smartest man I know, and he taught me everything I needed to know,” Collier said. “You can always learn more, but he put me in a position where I could play to my maximum potential in high school, now I have to take it to the next notch when I take it to the next level.”
Correction: The Groves-Southfield game was Saturday night.
