By Jeff Patrus
Sports Writer
It’s been a season of milestones for the Goodrich varsity football team.
The Martians achieved yet another feat in their district final matchup at Montrose Nov. 5, defeating the host Rams 46-22 to capture a district championship for the second straight year. In the process, the Martians achieved the 10-win milestone for the first time in school history.
The win marked the second time the Martians have defeated the Rams this season, both times at Montrose. In a Genesee Area Conference Red Division matchup earlier this season, Goodrich defeated Montrose 47-26.
With the win, the Martians (10-1) advance to take on undefeated Detroit Crockett Technical High School (11-0) in a Division 5 regional final Nov. 13 at Detroit Martin Luther King High School.
A victory would give Goodrich three playoff wins in the same year for the first time in school history, and send them to the state semifinals.
Goodrich coach Tom Alward said the Martians are eagerly anticipating the matchup with Crockett.
‘Their attitude is excellent,? he said. ‘They’re ready to go. We just have to get our game plan ready.?
Crockett is a member of the Detroit Public School League’s Division 2. They beat out Detroit Mackenzie for the league title, and have steamrolled through their first two playoff games, shutting out Macomb Lutheran North 62-0 in their district opener before defeating Armada 56-8 in their district title game.
The Rockets have been a formidable foe on both sides of the ball this season, scoring 410 points while allowing only 38.
Alward said the Rockets will present quite a challenge for the Martians.
‘They’re an extremely talented team,? he said. ‘They can pull students from the entire city of Detroit, so they have a lot of good athletes. It will be a test for us. We’re going to have to tackle well or it will be tough for us to win.?
Senior Kirk Elsworth once again was the catalyst for the Goodrich offense against Montrose, rushing for 229 yards on 31 carries and scoring five touchdowns. He also kicked four extra points and had 10 tackles on defense.
The Martians helped themselves on defense by forcing six Montrose, including one on the first play of the game, where senior Adam Compeau picked off a pass by Montrose quarterback Tim Burnison and returned the ball to the Montrose 6. Elsworth scored on the next play to give the Martians an early 7-0 lead.
On the next series by Montrose, the Martians recovered a Goodrich fumble, which set up another Elsworth touchdown run, this one from seven yards out. However, the point-after attempt failed, leaving the Martians up 13-0.
However, Montrose (9-2) showed what they are made of by coming back to take the lead. Aubrey Pleasant scored on a one-yard touchdown run, and Burnison then connected with Antraz Burton on a 75-yard scoring strike about 1-1/2 minutes into the second period to put the Rams up 14-13.
The Martians, though, would not be discouraged by Montrose’s outburst. Elsworth scored his third touchdown of the game with 5:32 left in the second, and senior Jeff Decator then followed with touchdown runs of 75 and seven yards, putting the Martians ahead 32-14 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Elsworth scored on a 20-yard touchdown run to put the Martians ahead 39-14. The Rams would mount one last-gasp comeback attempt, as Burnison connected with Pleasant on a 66-yard touchdown pass.
However, Elsworth shut the door on the Rams with his fifth touchdown of the game, a seven-yard run with 5:36 left in the contest.
Goodrich senior quarterback Keith Brotherton completed 3-of-7 passes for 87 yards, while Decator rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, the Martians were led by Mark Bourassa (15 tackles), Andy Bohlen (10 tackles), and Craig VanWagoner (one interception).