South Varsity Red Barons Come Up Short in Thriller

For only the second time in four seasons, the current eighth grade Red Barons suffered defeat from the hands of an ESFL opponent.  The East Detroit Tiger Cats opened the scoring on their second drive, after a Ryan McWood interception had stymied their potent offense. A phenomenal defensive battle ensued, led by Patrick Nauert, Andrew Trost, McWood, Garrett Hudson, Sam Genna and Romari Ennis-Rogers.

Trailing 8-0 late in the second quarter, Baron backs Will Poplawski and Genna ripped off 50 yards on the ground, capped by a Poplawski 5 yard scoring burst behind the blocks of Nauert, AJ Stevenson, Cam Ennis, John Hughes, Patrick Durkin, and Jon Martinuzzi. McWood contributed a key pass to Andrew Trost, in keeping the drive alive. Trost recovered the ensuing onside kick by McWood. Two plays later, Luke Riashi hooked up with Trost on a 51 yard scoring strike, to put the Barons in the lead.

The Tiger Cats roared back with 12 points of their own, but once more the Barons responded. Will Poplawski was unstoppable, blasting behind the blocks of Sam Jones, Luke Davey, Bob Weiland, Ryan Keating, Justin Moore, John Allen and David Borwicz. McWood's PAT tied the game.

Twelve seconds after the Tiger Cats scored in the final stanza, Sam Genna took the ensuing kick-off seventy yards to pay dirt. Romari Ennis-Rogers flattened East Detroit's safety to spring Genna for the score. McWood found Trost on the PAT, to take the lead with eight minutes remaining.

The usually stalwart Baron defense could find no answer to the Tiger Cat speed sweeps, as East Detroit regained the lead with four minutes remaining. The Barons rallied, driving to the 15 yard line in the waning moments. But Riashi's fourth down pass fell out of the hands of the South receiver, as the Baron's fell just short in their quest to remain perfect on the season.