Playoff Preview: Flat Rock vs Corunna

Flat Rock arrives at the semi final @ Ypsilanti Lincoln with a record of 9-3 after finishing in a 3 way tie for third in the Huron League at 4-3. Corunna comes into the game with an undefeated 12-0 record that includes a Flint Metro League Championship.

The Rams defeated Milan (4-6), Summit Academy (8-3) and Southeastern (8-4) on their way to the Regional Championship while the Cavaliers beat Flint Hamady (8-1), Notre Dame Prep (9-1) and Lutheran North (9-3) on the way to their Regional win

Corunna (12-0)

Overall Playoff Record 14-12

Head Coach: Steven Herrick

Players to Watch:

Wyatt Bower, SR. QB/S: The dual threat QB headed to Saginaw Valley is a freak athlete that was all state in 4 events at the 2022 D2 State Track and Field Championships (4 x 100 M Relay and Long Jump Champion). Bower has thrown for 22 TD’s and nearly 2,000 yards while rushing for another 930 yards and 15 TD’s.

Tarick Bower, SR. WR/CB: Wyatt’s twin brother (equally freakish athlete) has had a huge season having caught 41 passes for 1,398 yards and 18 TD’s. On defense he has recorded 40 tackles and made 3 Int’s. Tarick was all state in 3 events as well in track and field (4 X 100 M Relay Champion).

Jake Edington, SR RB/MLB: The 6-0, 205 lb senior has had a big season for the Cavaliers as he has rushed for 868 yards and 16 TD’s while recording 89 tackles including 13 TFL’s.

Dayne Zeeman, JR TE/LB: The rugged junior leads the Cavaliers with 118 tackles and 4 sacks.

Bryce Edington, JR SB/DB: The undersized, but quick slot receiver is the younger brother of Jake. He has recorded 22 catches and 4 TD’s to go along with 27 tackles.

Lineman to Watch: Alan Mrva JR 6-2 240 lbs, A.J. Brieger JR 6-2 220lb, Evan Cody JR 6-0 250 lb,

Flat Rock (9-3)

Playoff Record: 7-4

Head Coach: Brandon Reaume

Players to Watch:

Brian Booms, SR RB/DB: The rugged senior has had a recording breaking season for the Rams as he carried the ball 229 times for 1,696 yards 32 TD’s while recording 110 tackles.

Graham Junge, JR QB: Junge has had another great season for the Rams as he has thrown for 2,343 yards and 27 TD’s. He has rushed for another 277 yards.

Adam Szalay JR WR/DB: The lanky athletic junior has used his great hands to catch 32 passes for 568 yards and 7 TD’s this season.

Rocco Breslin, SR TE/LB: Breslin has caught 30 passes for 8 TD’s this season while recording nearly 60 tackles on defense.

Alex Gillum, SR WR/DE: The big senior who missed his junior year to injury has had a fine senior campaign as he has recorded 37 tackles and 5 sacks on defense while catching 19 passes.

Linemen to Watch: Michael Beaudrie SR 6-4 210 lb, R.J. Percha JR 6-4 250 lb, Drew Booth JR 6-0 220 lbs

Overview: This is a great matchup between two programs that are similar in many ways. Neither team has had a lot of success in football over the years (Corunna with 13 playoff appearances and Flat Rock just 6, although they won the State Championship in 1976). Each team had big victories this season over very good teams (Corunna beat 11-1 Goodrich 35-7 while Flat Rock beat 10-2 Airport 33-21). Both teams also rely on 2 and 3 sport athletes that excel in other sports.

In watching these two teams, you will see many similarities from the skill people and line play. The difference in this game will come down to Flat Rock being able to somehow neutralize the superior speed of Corunna. While that is easier said than done, the Rams are athletic enough to pose some problems for the speedy Cavaliers. An advantage for Flat Rock in this game, may be the fact that Coach Reaume gives his QB Junge a lot of latitude to change plays at the line of scrimmage. He may be able to audible them into some plays, that exploit the defensive looks of the Cavaliers. No matter the outcome of this game, each team will have their hands full if they get to Ford Field as the winner Grand Rapids Catholic Central (11-1) and Frankenmuth (11-1) will be waiting there for them.