Nov. 6, 2020, Detroit, MI.- After playing what was undoubtedly the toughest schedule in Michigan High School football this season and having some of their top players out with injuries, the Oak Park Knights have been able to rattle off two huge victories in the MHSAA playoffs, coming from behind and edging out a very tough University Of Detroit Jesuit team. It was a back and forth game with the Knights taking the lead over the Cubs for good in the fourth quarter.
With the 27-21 victory, the Knights will move on to the Division 2 district 14 finals to face off against Wyandotte.
On the beautiful unseasonable 65 degrees afternoon, the Knights got things rolling in the game as Michigan State running back commit Davion Primm rambled off a 42-yard run. After a few stops made by a solid Cubs defense, it set the Knights up for a fourth down and short with Primm picking up the first down with some solid blocking upfront. After another solid defensive stand, it was Primm again on fourth and two hammering the ball in from the 5-yard line for the early lead for the Knights. But the Cubs came right back with a great pass on the right side to tie it up early.
That would be the pattern for the evening as both teams would exchange touchdowns. Midway through the second quarter on a third and long Oak Park quarterback James Burnley threw a beautiful pass over the middle to Amari Harris who took it in for the long score. The point after was blocked by the Cubs. After another solid defensive stand by the Knights, they took over and moved the ball downfield but the Cubs held strong in their own territory to go down at the half by 6.
The Cubs received the ball in the second half and immediately made a deep pass connection and with the extra point took an early 14-13 lead. On the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Primm showed why he was Michigan State University’s first commit as he sped to a big 26 yard gain dragging tacklers behind him, giving him 153 yards in only less than three quarters play.
On a fourth and four situation the Knights went for it and converted setting themselves up with a first and goal situation. Burnley kept it himself barreling over the goal line giving the Knights a 19-14 lead after they were stopped on the two-point conversion. Less than two minutes later the Cubs would score on a third and one pass play to take the lead again heading into the 4th quarter, 21-19.
Early in the fourth quarter, it was Burnley connecting deep with KyShaun Jackson who made an amazing acrobatic catch after the defender had appeared to swat it away in the air, and then came down just short of the goal line for a huge Knights play. Burnley would finish the job on the keeper and would draw a good fake handoff and keep it for the two-point conversion giving the Knights a 27-21 lead.
The Knights defense stood up strong after that forcing a few three and outs. The Cubs held the Knights but on fourth down and short from their own territory they set up to punt but punter KyShaun Jackson pulled it down and kept it for the fake and ran for what would appear to be the first down but after discussion by the ref crew it was decided it was not enough and the Cubs would take over with great field position with 5 minutes to go.
But the Knights defense came up big stopping the Cubs on their first 3 possessions of the series and on fourth and 4 the Cubs quarterback tried to draw the defenders away as if passing but kept it for himself but the Knights senior linebacker Marlin Dawson blew up the play and drilled him stopping him well short. The Knights took over and were able to move the ball enough for clock management to come away with the victory.
“This was a hard-fought victory, we earned this, “The Miami of Ohio commit Dawson stated after the game. Dawson was injured along with star two-way lineman Rayshaun Benny for most of the shortened season. “It was a rough season, me & Benny were hurt, but the team is coming together at the right time. Everything is coming together when we need it the most. Shock the state, that’s our motto, shock the state.”
“This feels great really,” stated Benny. “I mean our season could be over but we fight hard, we stick together. We were down but we never gave up, never will.” Benny is one of the top 5 ranked players in the state of Michigan and will be announcing his commitment this Monday at Oak Park High School.
The Knights will take on the Wyandotte Roosevelt Bears this Friday the 13th.
