The eight-year championship drought ended when Orchard Lake St. Mary’s crushed their opponents 31-14 to claim the MHSAA Division II Football Championship. The Eaglets’ path to glory stands as one of the most remarkable runs in MHSAA playoff history. Our detailed coverage of MHSAA football scores reveals a team that dominated every opponent. OLSM’s powerful ground game and stellar defensive effort showed why they deserved the Division II crown. This victory adds another brilliant chapter to their program’s storied legacy while maintaining their perfect season record.

Dominant Ground Game Leads OLSM to Victory

St. Mary’s ground attack made the difference in this MHSAA football championship game. Their systematic dismantling of Byron Center’s defense was impressive to watch.

Jones and Williams combine for 290 rushing yards

Darrin Jones and Bryson Williams put on a rushing clinic. Jones racked up 181 yards on 21 carries, while Williams added 109 yards on 13 attempts. “I definitely felt the other team was wearing down. All that conditioning paid off,” Jones said after his stellar game.

Offensive line dominance in trenches

St. Mary’s offensive line set the game’s pace and controlled every aspect. They paved the way for 399 total rushing yards – 179 in the first half and 220 in the final quarters. “They really stress your defense. They all run really hard and they go inside, they go outside,” Byron Center’s coach Cisco said.”

Four rushing touchdowns seal the win

Jones and Williams each scored twice to secure the victory. Jones broke free for a game-changing 29-yard touchdown run. He juked at the perfect moment and powered through to score. Williams matched this effort with a brilliant 12-yard touchdown. He took a jet sweep left, cut inside his blocker, and stopped instantly to leave the final defender grasping air.

“We tell our linemen that if they beat their guy up front, we will do our part running behind them,” Williams said. His words captured the backs’ strong connection with their offensive line in this MHSAA football playoff victory.

Critical Third Quarter Momentum Shift

St. Mary’s turned the tide of this MHSAA football championship battle during the third quarter. The team completely changed the game’s momentum in their favor.

Defense forces a key turnover

A game-changing moment unfolded early in the second half. Ryan Harrington delivered a devastating strip-sack on Byron Center’s quarterback Landon Tungate during a vital third-and-10 play. Kyrie Williams grabbed the fumble at the Bulldogs’ 3-yard line that created a perfect scoring chance.

Back-to-back scoring drives

The Eaglets struck fast. Bryson Williams powered through with a 3-yard touchdown run on the next play that extended their lead to 21-13. St. Mary’s defense dominated and forced consecutive three-and-outs. Axel Newell connected with Angelo Chapman on a spectacular 33-yard touchdown pass with 43 seconds left in the third quarter. This play pushed their advantage to 28-13.

Byron Center’s comeback attempts thwarted

Byron Center showed their fighting spirit despite facing a two-possession deficit. Tungate led an impressive drive with four rushes for 63 yards and scored on a 10-yard keeper. St. Mary’s defense stepped up big and stopped the vital two-point conversion attempt. This kept their commanding lead at 28-19. The defense put up remarkable numbers during this stretch:

• 2 forced punts
• 1 forced fumble
• 3 tackles for loss

The Eaglets’ defensive coordinator made brilliant adjustments. The team dominated the third quarter with a 14-0 scoring advantage that paved the way to the MHSAA football playoffs championship.

Return to Championship Glory

The storied history of Orchard Lake St. Mary’s football program makes tonight’s victory at Ford Field truly remarkable.

First title appearance since 2016

The Eaglets’ faithful can finally celebrate their return to championship glory after what seemed like an endless wait. The program’s last appearance in 2016 led to years of rebuilding and renewed commitment that culminated in tonight’s Division 2 triumph – their first championship at this division level.

Coach Gonzalez’s program transformation

Coach Jermaine Gonzalez has revolutionized the team with his unique point of view as a former player and longtime assistant. “This is where Orchard Lake belongs – playing games after Thanksgiving,” Gonzalez said after hoisting the trophy. His deep connection to the program started as the team’s quarterback during their 1999 championship, followed by his role as an assistant under legendary coach George Porritt.

Legacy of OLSM Football Excellence

Their victory adds another remarkable chapter to a legacy that has:

• 8 previous state championships (1977, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016)
• 14 Catholic League “Prep Bowl” championships
• 26 League championships spanning seven decades

“The goal when I took this job was getting back to getting here every year. For St. Mary’s football, that is the standard,” Gonzalez emphasized. Their ninth MHSAA football championship tonight proves why this program stands among Michigan’s most respected football institutions.

Key Defensive Performances

Our defensive excellence became the lifeblood of the victory in this MHSAA football championship clash. The team delivered a masterful defensive strategy that kept Byron Center’s offensive threats under control throughout the game.

Significant stops in critical moments

Ryan Harrington stepped up as a game-changer when the team needed him most. His performance included three tackles for loss and several quarterback pressures. The defense’s strength shined brightest in the fourth quarter. The unit stopped Byron Center on a vital fourth-and-4 from the 10-yard line that sealed our path to the MHSAA football playoffs victory.

Limiting Byron Center’s offensive threats

The team’s defensive strategy worked perfectly against Byron Center’s passing attack. Quarterback Landon Tungate managed just 49 yards on 9-of-16 passing. The defense showed its real strength especially when dealing with their star receiver Isaac Lee, who ended up with just two catches for 16 yards. Relentless defensive pressure forced multiple three-and-outs and disrupted their offensive rhythm all game long.

Statistical defensive leaders

The defensive stars delivered outstanding individual performances:

• Christopher Coates dominated with 10 tackles
• Ryan Fresquez and Kyrie Williams contributed 6 tackles each
• Ryan Harrington added 5 tackles, including three for loss
• De’Mari Hendrix made a game-changing pass breakup on fourth down

This MHSAA football championship game showed why the team’s defensive unit ranks among the state’s most formidable. “They really stress your defense,” Byron Center’s coach admitted, but our defense ended up being too powerful for their offensive schemes.

The complete coverage of Orchard Lake St. Mary’s triumphant return to championship glory reveals a team that excelled in every aspect of the game.

OLSM proved worthy champions of Division II football with dominant rushing performances from Jones and Williams. The team displayed masterful defensive plays and perfect execution during significant moments.

The Eaglets’ victory represents more than just another title – it marks their return to their rightful place among Michigan’s elite football programs. The players brought Coach Gonzalez’s vision of excellence to life through their dedication. The team captured their ninth state championship trophy and their undefeated season ended with a commanding performance at Ford Field. This achievement cements OLSM’s legacy and sets new standards for future generations.

St. Mary’s remained unbeaten throughout the season because of their powerful combination of offensive firepower and defensive prowess. The team’s ground attack accumulated nearly 400 rushing yards while their defense stopped Byron Center’s scoring attempts consistently. Years of tradition and months of preparation culminated in this complete team effort that delivered a championship performance worthy of the OLSM name.