Saturday's prep football: Detroit Catholic Central blanks Birmingham Brother Rice
Berkley — Before the season, teams circle the rivalry games on their schedules. If anything, they want to make sure those games result in a win — for history's sake.
In their latest matchup, Detroit Catholic Central dominated Catholic League Central foe Birmingham Brother Rice, 21-0, with an assertive rushing attack and impenetrable defense on Saturday night at Hurley Field.
"(Brother) Rice is always the biggest game on our schedule, so to come to their house and get a win is big for our team," Catholic Central coach Dan Anderson said.
Running back Keegan Koehler rushed for 134 yards to go with touchdown runs of 2 and 16 yards to lead Catholic Central (4-1, 1-0). Koehler's first score on a 2-yard run capped a drive where he carried the ball on every play.
The drive was aided by facemask and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against Brother Rice.
"We're a run-first offense, and we knew going in that our offensive line could push their defensive line," Koehler said.
Brother Rice's defense had no answers for Koehler as he repeatedly shed tacklers and used his quick vision to get himself out of jams.
Looking to deploy a balanced attack, Catholic Central quarterback Jack Beno passed for 164 yards, including a touchdown strike to wideout Ryan Birney with 2:17 left in the first half.
Despite forcing three Catholic Central turnovers in the first half, Brother Rice's offense was not able to capitalize. Brother Rice (3-2, 0-2) had its own hanging onto the ball, committing three turnovers in the opening half as both teams traded possessions.
Koehler's scored his second touchdown on a 16-yard run on C.C.'s opening drive of the second half, making it 21-0.
C.C. defense picked off Rice quarterback Greg Piscopink for a third time on the ensuing drive. Defensive back Parker Bohland had two interceptions for C.C.
The 21-point victory is a step in the right direction for C.C. to win the Catholic League, Anderson said.
"Every year we have three goals: win the Central Division, win the Catholic League and win a state championship," the Catholic Central coach said. "We're on our path to our goal."
Brother Rice was shut out for a second straight week, losing 13-0 to Warren De La Salle in Week 4.
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Detroit Delta Prep 36, Southfield Bradford 0: Trayvon Jones had 368 all-purpose yards, three offensive touchdowns (two throwing, one rushing), and two interceptions, including one returned 59 yards for a score, for Delta Prep (2-3). Montez Archer added 158 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns (one rushing and a 74-yard reception), and Latrell Thompkins had four sacks and two forced fumbles. Bradford is 0-5.
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Dwjuan Frazier is a freelance writer; News staff contributed