Highlight Reel: Groves Football Earns First Winning Streak Since 2008

A wild week of football for Birmingham-area schools was the big story this week.

Groves and Seaholm high schools both played two very close games that could prove pivotal later this season in the race to the playoffs. The schools also played some exciting rivalry games against each other in tennis and volleyball.

Varsity football

Various

What a week for Birmingham football teams.

and Lahser, two of the three undefeated teams in the Oakland Activities Association Blue division, was supposed to be the game of the week, but and Berkley stole the show down the street on Friday.

The to give the program back-to-back wins for the first time since 2008.

Keon Collier ran for 180 yards and four touchdowns in the win with his touchdown in double overtime the difference between winning and losing. Overall, his performance helped erase an early 14-0 deficit.

“Getting one score back on them helped and then we were able to run the football,” Groves head coach Brendan Flaherty said. “I think the offensive line is starting to come together and gel; they are really starting to move some people.”

Seaholm wasn’t so lucky in week three. Its home opener didn’t quite go as planned as .

The Knights' defense stole the show on Friday, limiting the Maples' offense to only 121 yards. The defense also scored the first points of the game by forcing a Seaholm fumble and returning the ball 65 yards for a touchdown.

Lahser running back Dajaun Burnley added two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, giving Lahser more than enough for the win.

“We just didn’t make the plays when we needed to,” Seaholm head coach Jim Pobursky said. “(Lahser is) 3-0 now, I think they are a pretty good team.”

Detroit Country Day won its first game of the season on Thursday 49-0 over Harper Woods. John Hill scored three touchdowns in the win for the Yellowjackets and had an interception. 

After losing their first two games of the season, DCD needed to get some momentum as it goes on the road for three straight games starting next week. 

Brother Rice also won a blowout this week, beating Toledo (OH) St. Francis 42-9 at Toledo. Devin Church ran for over 120 yards and scored a touchdown to help the Warriors improve to 3-0.

Varsity boys tennis

Seaholm, Groves

The Groves Falcons opened the week on Tuesday with a 6-2 win over Seaholm on the tennis courts. Groves would go on to beat Seaholm 3-1 in both singles and doubles.

Groves' Blaine Stannand needed only two sets in No. 1 singles to beat Seaholm's Josh Schechter (6-1, 6-1) and while Groves' Cal Greer and Alex Allen won No. 1 doubles over Seaholm's Nate Krasnick and Alex Valente in two sets as well (6-3, 6-2).

Seaholm’s lone wins of the afternoon were by Francisco Lleyya’s in No. 2 singles over Groves' Tanguy Crosnier (6-1, 6-3) as well as Seaholm's Aaron Rosen and Mikael Nescy’s win in No. 4 doubles.

Varsity volleyball

Seaholm, Groves

On Thursday, Seaholm stuck it to Groves on the volleyball court. The Maples swept the Falcons in three games (25-18, 25-12, 25-22). Grace Varlese led the way with six aces for Seaholm while Sarah Olivova had 11 kills.

Varsity girls golf

Marian

Marian beat Cranbrook Kingswood at the Stonycroft Hills Golf Club on Tuesday 194-184 in a battle of two of the top golf programs in Oakland County.

Mustangs senior Ellen Manson shot the top score of the day for both school with a 43. Teammates Kelly Lungamer, Victoria Li and Macey Hudson all shot under 50 to give Marian a win on the par 36 course.

Cordelia Chan (45) and Grear Clawson (47) had solid rounds for Cranbrook.