With an astounding four teams (CC, Brother Rice, OL St. Mary's, & Warren De La Salle) advancing into state semi-final games, I think it's fair to say now - not that there were really any doubts in the first place - that the Catholic League is the toughest and best football conference in the state.
Mark it down! You read it here first. Burney is telling everyone that Clarkston and Catholic Central are on a collision course for an all-county throwdown in the D1 state championship game. It's inevitable. It's written in the stars, almost pre-destined. The'09 prep football season in the OC has been so spectacular it's only natural that the county's two best teams square off with a state title in the balance. The battle for ultimate county bragging rights this season will also be for that ever-elusive wooden-mitten.
Attention all Shamrocks and Wolves fans: Burney now officially gives you permission to start making plans for a trip to Ford Field on the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, Brother Rice senior QB Frankie Popp got an early start in his preparation for carving the Turkey Day goose by carving up the Midland defense in Rice's 49-27 throttling of the Chemics last Saturday in a D2 regional championship game. Popp punked Midland's secondary for 270 yards and three TD's.
On a side note, Burney sends major props out to Popp for taking the recent-decision by the Rice coaching staff to give some of his snaps to junior back-up Tyler Lendzion (whose been outstanding by the way) so well. A lot of weaker-minded kids would have thrown in the towel and whined about getting the shaft by his coach. Not Mr. Popp. Instead, the senior slinger used it as motivation and is playing his best ball of the year right now in the playoffs when the Warriors need him the most. The way Popp has handled this situation bodes well for his chance at landing himself a college scholarship and tells you all you have to know about this kid's cement-like character and leadership ability. Way to go, Frankie!
If you see St. Mary's Ernest Thomas around town this week and there are flames of fire surrounding him as he walks by, don't be alarmed. Scoring 9 rushing TD's in three playoff wins tends to create that kind of scorching heat around a primetime player such as Thomas. The UCLA-bound recruit busted loose for 167 yards and 3 TD's – all in a three minute and forty five second span in the 4th quarter – to spark the Eaglets to a D3 regional title on Saturday afternoon.
Some mid-major from this region better do themselves a favor and scoop up Clarkston senior QB Tyler Scarlett before it's too late. Scarlett sports a rare combination of a high-on field IQ, super arm, and mobile feet. His instincts behind center and his touch on deep throws are second to none as well. Burney has a hard time understanding why this kid isn't getting more offers. Well, Tyler, Burney can tell you one thing: Win a state championship for C-Town in two weeks and the recruiters will be forced to take notice.
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