Photos: StudentandAthlete
Detroit Loyola junior Shenard Foster (11) runs for a touchddown against Madison Heights Bishop Foley on Saturday, Nov. 14, in the last MHSAA football playoff game played before Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a three-week pause to high school sports the next day.
Division 7 No. 9-ranked Detroit Loyola rolled past Catholic High School League rival Madison Heights Bishop Foley 50-8 on Saturday, Nov. 14, to win the Michigan High School Athletic Association District 54 championship at Bishop Foley.
Loyola improved to 8-1 on the season and has outscored its playoff opponents 81-8 in the past two games. Loyola earned a forfeit win over New Haven in its playoff opener and beat Clinton Township Clintondale 31-0 in the district semifinals.
Against Bishop Foley, the bigger and stronger Loyola team dominated play on the line, led by Michigan State University commit Derrick Harmon.
“Harmon, we couldn’t block him all night. We tried to double and triple team him, but there is a reason why he’s a Big Ten football player. We did what we could, and it didn’t work out,” Bishop Foley head coach Brian Barnes told reporters.
Loyola raced out to a 31-0 lead, before Foley scored its only points late in the first half.
The Bulldogs put the game away in the third quarter as junior quarterback Anthony Garrett connected with junior Shenard Foster for a pair of touchdowns to start a running clock.
Loyola advances to face No. 3-ranked New Lothrop (8-0) in the Region 27 championship. New Lothrop beat Bath 56-12 in its district championship.
The Loyola-Foley game was the final district championship played before Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced new restrictions designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 on Sunday, Nov. 15, including putting high school sports on hold for three weeks.
Loyola’s regional final against New Lothrop is currently planned for either Tuesday or Wednesday, Dec. 15 or 16, at Bishop Foley.
The Bulldogs’ only loss this season came in the Prep Bowl to Division 1 No. 6 Detroit Catholic Central, who have also advanced to the regional round.
Bishop Foley ends the year 7-2 after winning their first playoff games since 2013.
Detroit Loyola sophomore Khamari Wright (23) runs for a gain against Madison Heights Bishop Foley on Saturday.
Detroit Loyola senior Malik Marable (3), senior Jeff Haynes (22), and junior Lonzie Tramble III (2) track down a Madison Heights Bishop Foley runner on Saturday.
Detroit Loyola junior quarterback Anthony Garrett (9) takes a snap against Madison Heights Bishop Foley on Saturday.
Detroit Loyola senior Derrick Harmon (55) and junior Lonzie Tramble III (2) make a tackle against Madison Heights Bishop Foley on Saturday.
Detroit Loyola senior Derrick Harmon (55) drives through the line against Madison Heights Bishop Foley on Saturday.
