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Walled Lake Central upends St. Mary?s
Vikings avenge loss in last season's state playoffs.
Mike Faletti / Special to The Detroit News Online
ORCHARDLAKE -- Walled Lake Central's trio of Steve Robinson, Kevin Long, and Nick Lusk outplayed the much-heralded St. Mary's trio of Justin Siller (Purdue), Dionte Allen (Florida State), and Taurian Washington (Ohio State).
Robinson, Long, and Lusk combined for 219 yards rushing and three touchdowns to give Central a 35-27 victory in the Division 2, Region 2, District 2 championship Saturday afternoon.
"It might not sound like it, but it was a defensive struggle and I think both defenses came to play today," Central coach Bob Meyer said. "It might sound crazy, but it really came down to who was going to get the last stop."
Vikings quarterback Torrey Stimson completed only 4 of 7 passes - but two were touchdown strikes to tight end Jesse Caddell.
The offensive line, however, was just as much a key to Central's victory as the running backs.
"They (St. Mary's) are so big and physical, we knew they were going to come hard, but the O-line did their job," Meyer said. "They stayed low and we just got seams. The running backs just kept their legs moving. We have three quality running backs -- they just kept their legs moving and moved the chains."
The Vikings (9-2) dominated the first half, outgaining St. Mary's, 176-62, on offense, and led 14-0 at halftime after a 71-yard touchdown run by Robinson and a 21-yard touchdown catch by Caddell.
In the third quarter, St. Mary's came back with two rushing touchdowns (2 yards and 15 yards) by running back Dominique White, cutting Central?s lead to 21-14. The Vikings scored on a 2-yard run by Long after St. Mary's had stopped Central, but was called for a roughing-the-punter penalty.
In the fourth quarter, St. Mary's looked to its passing offense. Siller threw two touchdown passes in the quarter -- to Suave LaVallis for 43 yards and Allen for 8 yards -- to cut the Central lead to 35-27 with 2:42 remaining. The Eaglets got the ball back with 43 seconds left to try and tie the game. But Central's defense forced St. Mary's to turn the ball over on downs to quell the comeback.
Robinson was the leading rusher in the game, finishing with 98 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. His 71-yard scoring run on their second possession got the Central offense running.
"It sparked us to make better plays and get the ball moving more," Robinson said of his long run. "It feels good to get the victory, but we aren't done yet. We are going to make it to the state finals."
Long finished with 54 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns and Lusk ran for 67 yards on 10 carries.
Siller was 14-of-22 passing for 191 yards and two touchdowns, Allen finished with six receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown and Washington five receptions for 66 yards for St. Mary's (8-3).
With the victory, Central avenges their loss to St. Mary's in the state playoffs last season. This is also the first time in school history that the Vikings have advanced past the second round of the playoffs.
10-26-2006, 02:40 PM
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