Riverview Gabriel Richard (9-1) @ Madison Heights Madison (10-0)

Gabriel Richard beat Lutheran Northwest by a score of 22-21 in week 1 of the playoffs while Madison defeated Detroit Delta Prep 14-0. This is the 13th straight trip to the playoffs for the Eagles. The Pioneers have qualified for the 3rd time in the last 4 seasons. This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams.

The Pioneers are coached by Thomas Michalsen and their only loss this season was a 21-0 shutout in week 6 to 9-1 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook. The Pioneers are young and on paper appeared to be a year way from having this type of season, but set a school record for points in the process. On offense, GR is led by senior QB Devin Gleason. Junior RB Nevin Hughes has rushed for nearly 700 yards and 10 TD’s. The offensive line is led by senior guard Mark Cox (6-0, 260 lb) and sophomore Kenny Esquible (6-4, 260 lb) along with junior tackle Evan Orme (6-6, 240 lbs). Defensively, junior MLB Max Hatty leads the Pioneers in tackles this season. Seniors Devin Slaughter (5-8, 220 lbs) and Christian Barrera (5-11, 195 lbs) are having solid seasons. Senior DB Eric Wigginton has been solid in the secondary.

Madison is led by QB Austin Brown. The 6-1, 190 lb junior has thrown for over 2,000 yards and 24 TD’s on the season. He has rushed for another 249 yards and 7 TD’s. Brown is a transfer from Novi Catholic Central and was a two year starter for the Shamrocks before transferring back to his home district of Madison where his father is the Athletic Director. His favorite target through the air is senior Zyaire Croskey who has nearly 600 yards receiving and 10 TD’s. Defensively the Eagles are led by senior MLB Dominik Rowell along with junior DE Chauncey Ernest (6-0, 235 lbs) and senior DT Deron Hood Jr (6-0, 265 lbs). Junior DE KJ Jackson is an active player while senior Demetric Knight is an athlete in the secondary.

Madison is ranked #2 in the state and has played extremely well (beat Marine City 28-24) at times and struggled (1 point victories over SCS Lakeview and East Detroit) at times. Richard struggled (21-0 loss) in the 1st half against the best QB they played against all season in Cranbrook’s Trevor McConnell. This is a game that many believe that Madison will win. The longer this game stays close, the more confidence the Pioneers will get.