Playoff Preview: Divine Child @ Airport

Divine Child enters the District Final with a 6-4 record. The Falcons defeated Redford Union in pre-district play 39-22. Airport currently stands at 9-1 and is coming off a recent throttling of East English by a score of 70-12. This is the first meeting on the gridiron between the Jets and the Falcons of Divine Child.

Dearborn Divine Child

Head Coach: Christopher Laney

Playoff Record: 24-12

2023 Record vs playoff teams: 4-4

Divine Child is led by 2 outstanding running backs, Senior Tyler Traub(400 all purpose yards vs Union) and Soph Marcello Vitti. Bryce Borgus is a junior starter at the QB position. Paving the way are anchors, senior Dane Sichterman and senior Mathieu Mather. The Falcons showcase a varied attack of both run and pass. Utilizing multiple formations and sets, DC places an emphasis on getting their playmakers in space.

Defensively DC is led by senior DE Brock O’Connell and Senior LB Everett Shumaker. Tyler Eby and Joe Krawczak are both returning starters at CB. Vitti leads the team in tackles and plays SS.

Thoughts from Coach Laney: “We are currently 6-4 on the season after having played a very competitive schedule. At one point, the teams who we had our 4 losses with were a combined 28-3. We’ve also put some miles on our school bus this season, traveling to Jackson Lumen Christi, Toledo St. Francis and Pontiac ND Prep. I like to tell people that we are battle tested. We had a number of very good players last season to replace this year. 6 of our kids last year went on to play college football. 4 of those losses were in the trenches along with a 3yr stater at QB. We have dedicated our season to a junior on our team who suffered a catastrophic neck injury in a swimming accident on July 4th. Owen Gibbons is a 3 sport athlete at our school and it was devastating news for all of us when he was hurt. He is currently at a spinal cord rehab facility in Denver, CO.”

Coach Laney on Airport: “Carleton Airport is having another outstanding season. Cooper Nye is a tremendous QB who also plays defense. A throwback type of kid who’s tough. They are extremely well coached on both sides of the ball. Their offense is explosive and will make for a difficult night for our defense. We understand that Friday night will be a hostile environment on the road for us but we are excited for the challenge. Playing for trophies in football is difficult to do. Both Divine Child and Airport, I’m sure, will be at their best Friday night under the lights. It should be an exciting game.”

Carleton Airport

Head Coach: Jim Duffy

Playoff Record: 8-17

2023 Record vs Playoff Teams: 5-1

Airport is led by multifaceted QB, Cooper Nye. Cooper has been everything the Jets have wanted in a QB. The multi-year starter, through leadership and his overall play, has the Jets playing the best football in many years. His running mate, RB Jack Mills, has had the season we all expected him to have. A tough and durable playmaker, Mills has set the standard for the RB position in Carleton. Nye and Mills are a tandem not easily stopped and frankly has yet to be achieved. The Jets average 44 ppg, mainly on the backs of the aforementioned. Airport is loaded with weapons all over the field. Those weapons also include, Nolan Zajak and Colin Nowak. When the ball in is the air, these two are the recipients in large part, along with Mills. Matthew Foor is another player the defense cannot lose track of.

FNV Outlook: This game has all the makings of an excellent District Final. Weapons and playmakers galore. In games such as these, the team who makes the least mistakes in terms of penalties and turnovers, typically ends up on top. Having each played multiple playoff opponents throughout the year, both teams are well tested and ready for battle. Airport is playing for it’s first MHSAA hardware since the Redmond era. Airport High School will be a fun place to be this Friday night.