DAVISON (DTV) – (11/27/2019) The Davison Cardinals have won their first ring at Ford Field on November 30th, 2019. The boys in maroon and gold took the State Finals trophy from the Brighton Bulldogs by a couple of TD’s. First, let’s see how they got there.
The Story:
1st Round: Davison vs. Romeo
Final Score: 35-21
Romeo: In the 1st round of playoffs, the Romeo Bulldogs lost to our Cardinals 35-21. In Bulldogs territory, Caleb Smith truly made a name for himself while scoring all 5 touchdowns. Senior Linebacker Pasco had 1 interception and an absurd 19 tackles (some are assisted) as well. On November 1st, this upset gave Davison the momentum they needed to take on the Lapeer Lightning the upcoming Friday.
(Districts) 2nd Round: Davison vs. Lapeer
Final Score: 42-21
Lapeer: Trying to bounce back from a loss in the last regular-season game to the Lightning, the Cards were determined to take the W. Spoilers, they did and it wasn’t nearly close as the previous game. In it, they suffered a heartbreaking loss in double OT in which they lost 24-21. It was a hard-fought match-up in Lapeer’s favor.
Now it was time for Districts where it mattered most. This game was kept tight for awhile Near the middle of the 3rd quarter, Sullivan tossed a floater to Harrison Terry for around a 30-yard reception. In the red zone, slowly pushing their way forward, running back Caleb Smith ran the 5th touchdown of the game for 2 yards. The score is 21-14 with about half of the game remaining.
Davison’s defense stepped up and got their incredible offense the ball back. Terry proved himself again by scoring a 74-yard reception late in the 3rd, 28-14.
At the beginning of the 4th quarter, the Cards struck again. The 12-yard run in by Cryderman pushed the lead to 3 TD’s. As the clocked ticked down, each team only got a touchdown apiece, making the final score was 42-21.
(Regionals) 3rd Round: Davison vs. Utica Eisenhower
Final Score: 35-7
Utica Eisenhower: It is time for regionals and Davison came prepared. Junior Mario Getaw got the score started for Utica with a 70-yard reception. The Cardinals returned the favor with Cryderman scoring a short dash into the end zone. Also in the 1st, another 6 points were scored on reception by Harrison Terry.
The score was 14-7 at the start of the 2nd. After a 30-yard run by Caleb Smith, he put his team on the 5-yard line. A couple of downs in and Sullivan put his name on the score sheet with a 2-yard rush to take it to halftime.
To make the highlight play of the game, at the end of the 3rd Smith ran a 101-yard pick-six. This increased their score to 28-7.
During the 4th quarter, Smith had another quick TD to top off this sweet victory.
(Semi-Finals) 4th Round: Davison vs. Sterling Heights Stevenson
Final Score: 34-27
Sterling Heights Stevenson Titans: In the Semi-Finals of the Michigan High School Playoffs Davison met Stevenson at Troy Athens High School.
Stevenson opened up the scoring of the game with a 70+ yard pass reception to the far right sideline. This would be the first of many for the Titans.
The Cardinals claimed revenge in the 2nd quarter with a short run to the end zone, but they missed the extra point making the score 6-7.
The Titans returned the favor with another 70+ yard pass reception to Jordan Ramsey, 6-14.
Then, in the 3rd, Sullivan rolled to the right and ran it in between the sticks for 6. This time, the extra point was good for the Cards.
Again for the Cardinals, a short pass to Pasco means another TD, 20-13.
Finally, a few touchdowns later, the game was still even by the end, 27-27.
In 1st OT, the cardinals 1-yard rush made the score 34-27.
The Stevenson Titans couldn’t bounce back as the Cardinal’s defense held them.
Watch the final clip below!
(Finals) 5th Round: Davison vs. Brighton (Highlights)
Final Score: 35-25
Brighton Bulldogs: The last obstacle: The Brighton Bulldogs.
The Cards opened up the score with a 1-yard rush by quarterback Brendan Sullivan.
Brighton closed the gap a few minutes later with a 21-yard field goal by Jacob Moraschinelli, 7-3 Cardinals.
Davison scored 2 more times before the half ended, although.
An incredible 74-yard TD scored by Fordham dashing down the left sideline improved their lead.
Paired with Cryderman’s 1-yard rush with a few minutes remaining.
21-3 to close the half.
Sullivan opened up the scoring in the second half with a 10-yard scramble.
Brighton bounced back with a Nick Nemecek 1-yard run paired with a 2-point conversion, 28-11.
In the 4th, Newburg found Nemecek on a 27-yard pass play and again, adding 2 to the 6.
Sullivan tossed the ball to Caleb Smith for a 63-yard touchdown, PAT is good, 35-19.
Brighton didn’t give up yet with a 3-yard pass, but failed to score the 2-point conversion.
This meant that Davison has won their first ever State Final in school history.
All of this couldn’t have been possible without you! The fans were a very important factor in this historic game. DTV’s Morgan Welch created a special story regarding our incredible community.