Five For Fighting - Finally!

OC Top 5 – Ford Field Performances

1 Marques Stevenson (Lake Orion Sr RB) – There's a reason that Stevenson (most likely headed towards the Air Force Academy for his college career) was the best prep running back in Oakland County this season and he showed it in the Dragons 21-13 win over Plymouth in the D1 state finals by rushing for 187 yards and two touchdowns, not to mention a game-clinching 35-yard sprint on a third-and-long late in the fourth quarter

2 Farmington Hill Harrison Defense/Special Teams – Grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat by causing four Lowell turnovers on consecutive possessions in the second half to rally the Hawks back from an 11-point deficit and spur them on to the 38-28 win over the defending state champ, Red Arrows in the D2 state title game; BIG PLAY ROLL CALL – TO # 1 junior LB Lamar Marshall picks Lowell QB Gabe Dean, TO # 2 senior LB Derek Head sacks Dean, causing a fumble that senior defensive lineman Mike Race promptly recovers, TO# 3 junior safety Ken Russ recovers Lowell fumble on kickoff return, TO#4 Derek Head picks Dean to clinch the win!

3 Tommy Vento (FH Harrison Sr Quarterback) – Vento capped an unbelievable three-game run and an outstanding overall campaign under center by torching the Red Arrows secondary for 310 yards and 3 TDs, leading HAWKSNATION to their state record 13^th state championship. Words truly can't express the remarkable job Vento did this season taking over the reins at quarterback for the first time and playing like a genuine BLUE CHIP recruit despite his lack of experience. Final three games of Vento's short, but illustrious career as a HAWK; over 900 yards passing and 10 touchdowns, against only one interception. Final overall stats - over 2800 yards, 31 TDs, against only 10 picks WILL SOMEONE PLEASE STEP IN AND OFFER THIS KID A SCHOLARSHIP ALREADY? Burney thinks….scratch that…KNOWS he deserves it!

4 Aaron Burbridge & Jake Vento (FH Harrison Jr wide receivers) – AB & JV did their best Jerry Rice and John Taylor impressions on Friday in the state championship game: Burbridge caught eight balls for 123 yards and two touchdowns, while "Little Bro" Vento caught six balls for 161 yards and one touchdown.

5 David Talley (OL St. Mary's Jr linebacker) – This kid has come on like gangbusters late in the year and will team with James Ross next season to form possibly the best linebacking-tandem in the state. Talley had two sacks and 11 tackles in the Eaglets win over DeWitt in the final four last week and then collected a game-high 10 tackles (tied with Ross, who also had a 10-spot) in their loss to EGR on Saturday night

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