Birmingham Groves showcased their resilience and skill during an impressive third quarter, leading to a 37-14 victory over St. Clair Shores Lakeview in the Division 2 regional championship on Friday night. Junior running back Jeremiah Whitley played a pivotal role, rushing for 67 yards and scoring two touchdowns in that explosive quarter.
The first half saw the Falcons struggle to gain possession, holding the ball for just 2 minutes and 13 seconds as Lakeview”s ball-control offense dominated the field. However, Groves came out strong after halftime, receiving the kickoff and quickly shifting momentum with the potent combination of Whitley, running back Carter Anderson, and quarterback LeVelle Shannon, successfully advancing to the Final Four for the second consecutive year.
“We knew coming in that they would hold the ball for a long time and run the clock down,” Whitley remarked after the game, which improved Groves” record to 9-3. “Nobody got down. We stayed focused. We got the job done.” He added that while the regional championship is significant, their ultimate goal remains to win the state title.
This victory marks Groves” fourth regional championship since 2018, setting them up to face Dexter in the state semifinals next weekend. After Whitley scored on runs of six and three yards, receiver Rylee Armbrustmacher added a 32-yard touchdown on a reverse, extending the lead to 24-7.
The Falcons continued their dominance in the fourth quarter, scoring two more touchdowns through Shannon”s 21-yard pass to Jordan Thomas and Anderson”s four-yard run. Kicker Gage Watters, who scored the only points for Groves in the first half with a 27-yard field goal, successfully added four extra points.
Falcons head coach Brendan Flaherty expressed confidence in his team”s ability to score, stating, “I knew we could move the ball and get some points. It was just a matter of getting a stop.” He acknowledged Lakeview”s talent but noted they were missing key players.
Lakeview started strong, taking the opening kickoff and driving from their 16-yard line to the Falcons” 34-yard line, consuming 11:08 of the clock. However, their drive concluded with a missed 51-yard field goal attempt. They later managed to secure a touchdown with a one-yard run from quarterback Gavin McKee, giving Lakeview a 7-0 lead after an eight-minute drive that covered 67 yards.
Despite their time of possession advantage, Lakeview”s lead was modest at 7-0 at halftime. “I wish it had been 21-0,” Lakeview coach Pat Threet lamented. The Falcons managed to capitalize on their limited opportunities, closing the half with Watters” field goal after a drive highlighted by Shannon”s 31-yard pass to Armbrustmacher.
Threet expressed pride in his team, especially the seniors, despite the loss. “We battled really hard against a really good program. I”m proud of my guys,” he said. Lakeview finished their season with a 9-3 record, marking a school record for victories in a single season.
Looking ahead, Groves aims to build on their playoff success, with Whitley confident about their chances. “Last year we fell short, but this year I think we can do it,” he stated. All three of Groves” playoff victories this season came against teams from the Macomb Area Conference, showcasing their strength in the postseason.
