Senior DE Chris Smith gets a sack in the Cranes 2015 victory over Lamphere.
(stock photo)
The Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Cranes will face the Madison Heights Lamphere Rams in the 1st round of the state playoffs. This game is the MHSAA Division 4, Region 4, District 2 Semi-Final.
Lamphere comes in to this game with a 5-4 record on the year.
The Rams defeated Warren Lincoln (33-13), New Haven (28-12), Center Line (41-22), Clintondale (28-20), and University Prep Science and Math (53-0) this year. Their losses were to Ferndale (50-0), St. Clair Shores Lake Shore (28-7), East Detroit (27-6) and rival crosstown Madison Heights Madison (42-14).
After going winless last year, Lamphere has made a great turn around.
“Lamphere has really brought their program forward after a few challenging years,” said Cranes Head Coach Joe D’Angelo. “Their coaching staff has done a good job of turning things around.”
Having been a longtime member of the Macomb Area Conference, Lamphere last made the state playoffs in 2010. They have had 5 playoff appearances since 2000.
This year they are the MAC Bronze division champs.
The Rams are led by senior QB Jacob Thomas, who had 3 scores and 240 all-purpose yards against Lincoln. Senior RB James Grams had 187 yards and 204 all-purpose yards in the game against Eastpointe.
Senior LB Josh Kincannon is a leader on the defense, getting 15 tackles in the same game.
Cranbrook enters this game with an 8-1 record on the year.
The Cranes defeated Redford Union (35-0) , Detroit University Prep (37-0), Royal Oak Shrine (42-7), Allen Park Cabrini (56-7), Riverview Gabriel Richard (21-0), Macomb Lutheran North (49-27), University Liggett, and Clarkston Everest Collegiate (42-7). Their only loss was to Dearborn Divine Child (28-14).
The Cranes are the CHSL CD Division Champs.
“We have had a good season and I have seen growth among the team, particularly in our back up players”, said Coach D’Angelo.
This is the 4th straight playoff appearance by the Cranes, who finished the year ranked 7th in Michigan D4 by the Associated Press.
Cranbrook is led by senior QB Trevor McConnell, who has thrown 22 TD passes on the year. RB Aaron Wiggins averages 12 yards a carry, while WR Kobi Russell averages 21 yards a catch.
Defensively, the Cranes are led by senior DE Chris Smith, sophomore LB Jack Fairman, and senior CB Marqis Stokes.
K Pierson Cooke is 45 out of 47 PAT’s, and averages 44 yards a punt.
In their only two meetings, Cranbrook has been victorious over Lamphere, gaining hard fought wins in 2014 and 2015.
“Lamphere always plays a physical game, with a strong running attack. We will be tested by their offensive line and running backs. It will be a good game.”
The game will be played Friday October 27th, 2017 at the Del Walden Field, Thompson Oval, on the Cranbrook Campus. The game will start at 7:00 p.m.