Jefferson, Gibraltar Carlson and Whiteford captured league championships.
St. Mary Catholic Central, Bedford and Ida fell just short on a night league football showdowns in the Monroe County Region on Friday, Oct. 16.
Defenses were the story of the night in the final game of the storied Jefferson-SMCC rivalry. One key stop by Jefferson was the difference.
Carlson (Downriver League) and Whiteford (Great Lakes Conference) each secured a least a share of the title with one game left.
More: Flat Rock's football state champs celebrate 50th anniversary of title
Bedford could not keep pace with Saline in a battle of undefeated teams in the Southeastern Conference Red.
Ida was blanked by Hudson, missing a slice of the Lenawee County Athletic Association crown.
Jefferson 8, SMCC 6
Jefferson converted a 2-point conversion.
SMCC did not.
That was all the separated two undefeated teams in a battle for the Huron League championship.
“I told everyone at the beginning of the year: ‘Everyone is looking at our offense, but our defense is going to win some games this year,’” Jefferson coach Rob Beaudrie said. “We have a great defense.”
The game was scoreless until Jefferson finally found the end zone on a 22-yard run by Drake Jones with 7:49 left in the game. Grady Brooks threw to Hunter Barton for a 2-point conversion.
SMCC then launched its best drive of the game, capped by a 3-yard touchdown run by Cole Reinhardt with 1:15 left on the clock.
Barton made the defensive on the 2-point try by the Falcons.
Jefferson (8-0) then successful covered an onside kick attempt and was able to convert a first down and run out the clock.
“I am so proud of these guys,” Beaudrie said.
Saline 35, Bedford 21
TEMPERANCE – Bedford had to settle for second place in the Southeastern Conference Red after dropping a battle of undefeated teams.
“They are a very tough team,” Bedford coach Dave Mifsud said. “There is no doubt in my mind that they are one of the top three teams in the state for all level.”
Bedford tied the game 7-7 with 2:45 left in the first half on a 1-yard run by Chase Atkins, but Saline regained the lead just before halftime, then scored on the first possession of the second half to take command.
Luke Whetstone rallied the Mules with a 20-yard TD toss to John Derian and a 9-yard scoring run.
Whiteford 52, Summerfield 0
OTTAWA LAKE – Austin Bauman and Brek Ruddy each scored two touchdowns as Whiteford clinched at least a share of the first Great Lakes Conference title in front of the home fans.
Ruddy had touchdown runs of 61 and 7 yards in the third quarter.
Bauman caught TD tosses of 24 and 44 yards from Tre Eitniear, who also threw an 18-yard scoring pass to Mason Luzier.
Other touchdowns for the 6-2 Bobcats came on runs by Elijah Vance (10 yards) and Caden Stewart (5).
Ruddy ran for 186 yards and Eitniear threw for 116.
Summerfield dipped to 2-6.
Gibraltar Carlson 27, Lincoln Park 8
GIBRALTAR – Carlson wrapped up at least a share of its sixth consecutive Downriver League championship.
Brennan Hudson led the way with 31 carries for 179 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Junior varsity quarterback Mason Guriel turned in some valuable playing time.
“We set the tone early by scoring on our opening drive and a successful onside kick helped us build that early momentum into a multi-score lead,” Carlson coach Jason Gendron said. “When we had to pivot to our JV quarterback in the second quarter, our offensive line stepped up to support him.”
The 8-0 Marauders will bid for their second straight undefeated regular season and sole possession of the league title when they travel to Allen Park Friday.
New Boston Huron 41, Flat Rock 33
NEW BOSTON – Flat Rock carried a 25-21 lead into the fourth quarter, but Huron scored the next three touchdowns, including two by Jamil Brown.
Brown scored a trio of touchdowns while Cash Moczdlowsky threw for two and ran for one.
Colton Ison and Owen DeLano had TD catches for the 6-2 Chiefs.
Jordan Godfrey caught a pair of touchdown passes from Joel Scully for Flat Rock.
Hudson 26, Ida 0
HUDSON – Ida dropped out of a four-way tie for first place on the final night of the Lenawee County Athletic Association season.
The 7-2 Blue Streaks, who have been able to control most of their games on the ground this season, but not mount much offense.
Justin Crozier was the leading rusher with 44 yards and Grant Pfeiffer had 31.
Kade Uhl led the defense with 10 tackles. Carter Derrian and Nick Miller had 9 each and Ben Noland 9. Carson Weeman intercepted a pass.
Monroe 42, Ann Arbor Huron 6
MONROE – Six different players scored touchdowns as Monroe squared its record at 4-4.
Dalen Cosby threw touchdown passes to Marquis Wilkerson (21 yards) and Tavin Parkhurst (18), Abdel Bakr returned a fumble 18 yards to the end zone, Zamir Austin scored on a 56-yard punt return and Torran Simmons (1 yards) and Jahlon Clemens (29) ran for TDs.
Nick Schrock intercepted two passes and Zyshonne Reid notched three sacks to lead the defense.
Monroe, which finishes at home against Rochester, is 4-0 at home and 0-4 on the road.
“Starting off the way we did (1-4), we really challenged the kids at home the last two weeks,” Monroe coach Kyle Reed said.
Airport 49, Milan 6
MILAN – Airport earned its first victory of the season in convincing fashion.
“What a night for the Jets,” Airport coach Derek Anderson said.
Mason Stoneburner scored three touchdowns for Airport, the first on a 33-yard interception return and the other two on passes of 59 and 5 yards from Colton Alston.
Alston, Sincere Rodriguez and Patrick Murphy also ran for Airport TDs.
Quentin Allen threw 31 yards to pass to RJ Boreio for Milan’s touchdown.
Both teams are 1-7.
Dundee 35, Onsted 34
DUNDEE – Ben Sanders caught a 65-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Mason with two minutes remaining and Kaiden Hoxey kicked the deciding point.
Gavin Thorpe and Owen Ferguson teamed up for a huge stop on a 2-point conversion after Onsted scored with 4:30 left.
Dundee came back from a 28-13 deficit for its second win in a row after an 0-6 start.
Sanders scored two touchdowns and Chase Purser, Ben Motylinski and Anthony York also found the end zone.
Sand Creek 54, Erie Mason 18
ERIE – Leroy Cuykendall ran for 153 yards, including touchdown runs of 47 and 67 yards, but Erie Mason fell to 1-7.
Hank Cousino had the other touchdown for the Eagles.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County Region high school football roundup for Week 8, Oct. 16