The Cranes look to continue their circle of success against Farmington Hills Harrison in the first round of the MHSAA playoffs. (S. Fairman- Photo Credit)
The Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Cranes (6-3) will travel to face the Farmington Hills Harrison Hawks (6-3) in the state playoffs. This game is the Division 4, Region 4, District 1 Semi-Final of the MHSAA playoffs.
Farmington Hills comes into this game 6-3, registering wins over North Farmington (41-0), Troy Athens (41-0), Troy High (39-10), Stoney Creek (39-7), Rochester (27-24) and losses to Oak Park (23-15), Rochester Adams (24-17), and Birmingham Groves (25-6).
The Hawks are led by senior Roderick Heard, a 5’11” 163 lbs. CB/WR and Northwestern commit. A nationally-ranked defensive back and Top 10 finalist for MLive’s Player of the Year, Heard is a threat on either side of the ball.
On the other side of the field is senior Xavier Goldsmith, a 5’9” 160 CB/WR and Colorado State commit. A 3-star Rivals athlete, he looks to have a promising collegiate career in the Mountain West Conference.
“They are a disciplined team with great athletes and great coaching” said Cranbrook Head Coach Scott Stewart.
Farmington Hills Harrison is in its final season as the school will close its door after this school year. Hawks Head Coach John Herrington will retire after 48 years of coaching at the school. Complete with 13 state titles and the most all time wins in MHSAA history, Herrington is a legendary figure in Michigan sports.
“It’s amazing what he’s done over the years, establishing a football program and maintaining it over nearly 5 decades”, said Coach Steward who is in his first year as the Cranes Head Coach. “He is a testament to persistence and perseverance in encouraging student athletes for several generations.”
Cranbrook comes in to this game with a 6-3 record, with wins over Redford Union (13-0), Windsor Holy Names (27-13), Dearborn Divine Child (19-14), Walled Lake Central (28-25), Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (42-7), and Detroit Delta Prep (2-0, forfeit). Their losses came to University of Detroit Jesuit (36-29, OT), Detroit Loyola (20-17), and Riverview Gabriel Richard (21-14).
The team tied for second place in their first year while in the CHSL AA-Division, a move up in competition.
The Cranes are led by senior Torrell Williams, a 5’11” 173 lbs. SS/WR who holds offers from Air Force, Valparaiso, Dayton, Davenport, and Slippery Rock. Williams was noted as an outstanding performer in Week 8 by the Detroit Free Press for his play against Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard.
On the other side of the field is senior Kobi Russell, a 6’1” 160 CB/WR and Colgate commit. A Top 100 Rivals athlete in Michigan, he looks to have a promising collegiate career in the Patriot Conference.
The Cranes also round out the cast with senior Danny Files, a 6’3” 300 lbs. DT with interest from Princeton, 5’10”185 lbs. junior RB Tariq Muhammad with great running ability, and 6’1” junior QB/LB Jack Fairman, with interest from Notre Dame and Penn State.
“We have a talented team that plays good football, I am proud of their progress this year”, said Coach Steward. It should be a good game.”
The game will be played at Farmington Hills Harrison High, located at 29995 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills MI 48334. Kickoff is at Saturday, October 27th, 2018 at 3 p.m.