WEEK 1: Brother Rice vs. Oak Park

**Edwin Baker**
**Jeff DeClaire was a workhorse against oak Park**

**Frankie Popp threw for 111 yards and a TD**
**Kevante Martin scores the games first TD**

Oak Park- It isn't rare for a team to find success by coat tailing a single player. But for a school to build a successful program you can't rely on just one or two players. You have to be solid and have depth at every position- and that's exactly what Brother Rice showed the state Saturday night in route to a 45-7 win over Oak Park.

Brother Rice was without star players-Danny Henneghan (TB) and Peter Plaskey (DL), both due to injury. The Warriors simply filled the void and it was business as usual.

Oak Park on the other hand has one of the best players in the country in tailback Edwin Baker. But unfortunately for Baker and Oak Park they have nowhere near the type of program as Brother Rice and it showed infront of a packed crowd.

Brother Rice's game plan was simple- stack 8 and even 9 guys in the box and force Oak Park's other players to beat them. The game plan worked as the Knights were forced to punt on their first possession. Brother Rice took the ball and used 12 plays to march down field but were forced to settle for a field goal. The Warriors again forced a 3-and-out, only this time they capped their next drive with a touchdown when Kevonte Martin broke loose for a 28 yard run.

Baker came through on the ensuing drive, first he shook off two tackles for a 45 yard run. Baker capped the drive with a 5 yard touchdown run to make the score 10-7.

The Warriors offensive line took over from there as they beat up on the Knights play after play. The results were three more rushing TD's before the half to put the game away. Jeff DeClaire scored on runs of 41 and 8 yards while Shaquille Marshall scored from 2 yards out.

GAME MVP: Jeff DeClaire, Brother Rice the fill in running back proved his value with a 15 carry- 119 yards, and 3 TD performance. Making the stats even more outstanding- 105 yards and two of the scores came in the first half. DeClaire does a good job of hiding behind his blockers till he finds daylight.

STANDOUT PLAYERS

Edwin Baker, Oak Park- Baker got hurt early in the third and didn't carry the ball much after that. In the first half he produced 91 yards and a TD on 11 touches. Baker is a home run threat just waiting to happen, against B.R. he never let the first tackler bring him down.

Kevonte Martin, Brother Rice- Martin is a dangerous player that excels when he is in the open field. He has sure hands and is always looking to make the big play on either offense or defense.

Shaquille Marshall, Brother Rice- Marshall is the best fullback in the state, he takes pride in lead blocking but also gets his share of touches. He's a tough runner up the gut.

Darryl Flemster, Oak Park- the sophomore would be the feature back on 90% of the teams in Michigan, but at Oak Park he has to follow up Baker, atleast for one more year then it will be his show. He sizes up at 5-10/190 pounds with great speed.