FLAT ROCK – Flat Rock’s offense is dynamic.
There is a 2,000-yard quarterback (Graham Junge), two receivers who have combined for 1,500 yards and 26 touchdowns (Evan and Adam Szalay) and two running backs near 1,000 yards (Ben Scully and Jacob Hagan).
Coach Brendan Reaume isn’t afraid to dial up a trick play now and then.
“We trust our creative, trick plays,” Junge said. “It worked last year in our last regional game, and it worked this year too.”
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In last week’s Division 5 regional final against Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard, Flat Rock didn’t need many trick plays in a 41-0 victory. They did execute a reverse flea flicker to perfection that ended up being a touchdown pass from Junge to Adam Szalay.
“Through all my years here I’ve had great receivers,” Junge said. “I can’t do it without them. They get open and I get them the ball.”
Ram running back Jacob Hagan is just under 900 rushing yards for the season. He said the trick plays are something the coaching staff puts in each week in practice.
“We run them all week in practice, but I don’t always expect to run them in the game,” Hagan said. “Tonight, they brought them out and they worked.”
Flat Rock faces a stiff test this week in the Division 5 semifinals when the 10-2 Rams take on Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, which has been ranked No. 1 in the division most of the season in several polls and rankings.
“Pontiac Notre Dame Prep is the real deal,” Reaume said. “They are very good in all three phases of the game and are well coached.”
Flat Rock is one of two Huron League teams remaining in the playoffs.
The other is league champion SMCC, who will play at noon Saturday against Schoolcraft in the Division 7 semifinals.
Here’s a look at both games:
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (10-1) at Flat Rock (10-2)
Division: 5.
When: 1 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Westland John Glenn High School
All-time series: The teams have never played before.
Notre Dame Prep playoff history: The Fighting Irish has been in the playoffs in eight of the 11 seasons Fox has been the head coach and 18 times all-time. This is the first time in the semifinals for Notre Dame Prep.
Flat Rock playoff history: In the playoffs for the seventh time with a record of 9-5. Seven of those wins have come in the past three seasons. Won a state title in 1976 and have reached the semifinals two consecutive seasons.
Notre Dame Prep statistical leaders: Sam Stowe, 170-for-242 passing for 2,249 yards and 30 touchdowns; Bill Collins 152 rushes for 1,024 yards and seven touchdowns, 37 catches for 522 yards and seven touchdowns; D. Heimbuch 58 rushes for 426 yards and 17 touchdowns; J. DeCasas 64 catches for 989 yards and 17 touchdowns, 6 interceptions on defense; B. Sink 116 tackles on defense.
Flat Rock statistical leaders: Graham Junge 154 for 242 passing for 2,468 yards and 36 touchdowns, 56 rushes for 265 yards and six touchdowns; Ben Scully 141 rushes for 953 yards and eight touchdowns; Hagan 114 carries for 841 yards and 10 touchdowns, 75 tackles on defense; E. Szalay 48 receptions for 885 yards and 16 touchdowns; A. Szalay 44 receptions for 682 yards and 10 touchdowns; Smith 53-for-61 extra points.
Game notes: Reaume won his 50th game as the Rams head coach last week against Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard. He is just the third Flat Rock coach to reach 50 wins, the others being Larry Duggan (79) and Marv Mittlestat (57) … Notre Dame Prep’s only loss this season was to Hudsonville Unity Christian, who lost in the Division 4 playoffs … Notre Dame Prep coach Pat Fox has coached at five schools – Ortonville-Brandon, Berkley, Ann Arbor Pioneer, Milford and Notre Dame. He is in the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame … One of Notre Dame Prep’s wins this season was against defending Division 7 state champion Jackson Lumen Christi. This year’s team has tied the school record for wins with 10 (2019, 2011)
Notre Dame Prep coach (Pat Fox, 11th year at Notre Dame Prep, 76-34): “Flat Rock is a tremendous challenge due to their dynamic offense and aggressive special teams. The QB is a three-year starter and a Division 1 athlete that demonstrates tremendous leadership skills and decision making. The receivers all have big play potential, and the offensive line is returning four starters and exhibit great technique in pass protection and fundamentals in the counter run scheme.”
Flat Rock coach Buck Reaume (ninth year 50-49): “You can see why they have been ranked No. 1 all year in Division 5 after turning on the film. Hopefully, we gained some experience from being in a state semifinal game like this last year. We look forward to the opportunity to play a top-notch opponent for a chance to play at Ford Field.”
Schoolcraft (11-1) vs. SMCC (12-0)
Division: 7.
When: Noon, Saturday.
Where: Battle Creek Harper Creek
All-time series: The teams have never played before.
Schoolcraft playoff history: The Eagles have been in the playoffs 34 times and won state championships in 2001, 1989 and 1988.
SMCC playoff history: The Falcons are in the playoffs for the 29th time, most in Monroe County Region history. SMCC captured state titles in 1991, 2014, 2019 and have an all-time playoff record of 60-25.
Schoolcraft top players: Beckett Campbell, Jack DeVries, Jaden Reiber, TJ Luteyn, Cooper Howard,
SMCC statistical leaders: Drew Harris 131 rushes for 1,348 yards and 32 TDs; Brady Hines 59 carries for 443 yards and 7 TDs; Ian Foster 68 carries for 424 yards and 7 TDs, 27 of 41 passing for 640 yards and 15 TDs; Cole Reinhardt 39 carries for 361 yards, 6 receptions for 198 yards; Brock Cousino 70 tackles.
Game notes: Schoolcraft eliminated Lenawee County Athletic Association champion Hudson last week 24-16. Hudson led 10-0 … The 11 wins this season for Schoolcraft are the most for the program since the 2001 state champion team went 14-0 …
Comments from Schoolcraft coach Nathan Ferency, seventh year at Schoolcraft, 55-20): “SMCC is one of the most athletic teams we will have faced all year. Their team speed is impressive. They are extremely explosive on offense with a defense that suffocates you. We will have to keep their offense off the field by sustaining drives and finishing with points.”
Comments from SMCC coach Adam Kipf (10th year, 79-32): “Schoolcraft is a tremendous football team. They do a lot of things well. They are physical up front and get after people. They can pound the ball or spread you out with the talent they have. Defensively they get downhill after teams. We have our work cut out for us. They limit their mistakes. We did not see many on film.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: SMCC, Flat Rock to play for spots in state football championship games
