St. Mary’s falls to East Grand Rapids in football final

DETROIT — Unfortunately for the Orchard Lake St. Mary’s football team, someone had to lose the Division 3 state title game Nov. 28 at Ford Field.

The Eaglets (8-5 overall, 3-1 in the Catholic League Central Division) found themselves on the losing end of the 24-21 score after a back-and-forth game as East Grand Rapids (14-0) won its fourth straight D-3 title.

“That’s a great football team, and they have great tradition over there,” St. Mary’s coach George Porritt said of East.

“There’s no shame is losing to a team like that. They beat us, and I give them credit. It’s hard, though, because you’d like to see your kids win.”

In a game that featured six lead changes, one tie and three turnovers, East was the beneficiary of the final momentum swing.

East scored the game’s final touchdown when senior quarterback Ryan Elbe connected with junior tight end Deon Jobe at 1:14 for a 15-yard score and a 24-21 lead.

The final score was set up by a fourth-and-14 play — where senior running back Kirk Spencer caught a deflected pass just before it hit the turf for a 27-yard gain to the St. Mary’s 26-yard line — one of many that that could have been called the “play of the game.”

The Eaglets had their final attempt for a comeback thwarted when East recovered a fumble on its own 40 with 39 seconds on the clock.

“I’m very proud of this football team,” Porritt said. “I’m very proud of the effort we had out there today. I thought it was too bad the way it came down, and we lost the ball at the end, but that happens.”

St. Mary’s senior quarterback Robert Bolden led the Eaglets with 142 yards rushing on 12 attempts — highlighted by an 83-yard score — and 161 yards passing.

The Eaglets’ other touchdowns came on a 7-yard Bolden run in the first quarter and a 3-yard score from junior fullback Cortez Riley in the fourth.

The St. Mary’s defense limited an East rushing attack — which averaged 226 yards per game — to 129 yards. Sophomore linebacker James Ross led the Eaglets with 16 tackles.

St. Mary’s senior cornerback/receiver Gary Hunter had 154 total yards, with 60 yards receiving and 94 yards on kickoff returns, and an interception. 

You can reach Sports Writer Brad D. Bates at bbates@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1029.