Monday, October 27, 2008

WEEK 9: Heritage at Flint Southwestern

**Curtis Brown brings down a 2-point conversion**
**Cam Stover runs for a TD in the 2nd quarter**
**Adam Leibinger turns up field**
**Dwayne Lewis will return next season for the Knights**

Flint- I took the final Friday night of the regular season to get one last glimpse of some talented athletes that wouldn't be fortunate enough to participate in the playoffs. It was predicted that Heritage would have a rough go of it this season but that fact that Southwestern finished without enough wins to reach the playoffs comes to a surprise to the whole state.

I also didn't expect either team to produce many points in the pouring rain, especially with offenses that have failed to be consistent all year. But Southwestern looked good in their final game...real good! Cameron Stover and Kortez Ross stole the show in the first half by connecting on two touchdown plays. The first came from 25 yards out, and Dwayne Lewis' 2-point conversion run gave the Knights a 8-0 lead.

Heritage responded with a touchdown drive that ended with a TD pass from Connor Rodriguez to Curtis Brown. The two also connected for the 2-point conversion to tie the game early in the first quarter, but Heritage would have trouble keeping pace with Southwestern for four quarters.

Stover found Ross 45 yards downfield, for their second connection, and a 14-8 lead. Stover gave his team a 20-8 halftime lead with a 17 yard scamper. Stover was nearly sacked but he spun out of the tackle and dashed for the left pylon.

The junior QB continued to look impressive in the third quarter with two more touchdowns- a 25 yard pass to DeMarkus Bracy and a 15 yard run. Southwestern took a 32-15 lead into the final quarter and Quan Young's 60 yard sprint to paydirt secured the win for the Knights.

BREAKDOWN

SWA-
no excuses but Southwestern was just too talented this season to finish 3-6. They managed to beat Arthur Hill, a playoff team, and lost to Midland High and Mt. Pleasant by less than a field goal, two teams that finished 8-1. They'll have a tough time replacing Ross, Bracy, and some interior lineman but they will return some talented players in Stover, Lewis, DeParris Gordon (WR), and Dionte Savage (OT/DT).

Heritage-
the Hawks just didn't have the size and strength that they are used to having. Guys like Brown and Rodriguez are solid in what they do but they're not just good enough to carry a team through a tough S.V.L.

GAME MVP- Cameron Stover, SWA-
the junior had a huge performance with 5 touchdowns, 3 throwing and 2 rushing. He finished 15-of-20 for 175 yards. He's faster than I thought he was and has good pocket presence. I was also impressed on how he was able to deliver the ball on target with the rain coming down as hard as it was.

Kortez Ross, SWA-
Tez was the most consistent Knight all season long at receiver and safety. He goes 6-3/180 pounds with a exceptional pair of hands. Ross has put together a pretty impressive highlight film to WOW college coaches with.

DeMarcus Bracy, SWA-
at 6-4/240 Bracy is just a physical specimen. He can play a number of positions ranging from receiver to D-end. He's a great person with a great work ethic so the sky is limit for Bracy at the next level.

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