The season opener between Cass Tech and Southfield A&T was nothing short of electric.

Andrew Hanania | Tuesday | August 30, 2022 | 9:50pm

The game that started on Thursday and ended on Saturday saw a total of 110 points and over 40 penalties as Southfield came back to beat Cass Tech in overtime 56-54. The game got off to a quick start with both teams combining to score seven touchdowns in the first quarter. The biggest highlight was Sean Hodges’ 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Cass Tech led 26-18 after one quarter of play. The second quarter was quiet until Southfield QB Isaiah Marshall scored a rushing touchdown to bring his team to within two with 5:50 left in the half; however, before the Warriors could go for a two-point conversion, the game took an unexpected turn. As Southfield was setting up to tie the game, the refs got together, and an announcement was made to have all spectators vacate the area. In addition, the game was delayed, and the refs decided to head to halftime early.

Eventually, a decision was made to suspend the game and resume at a later date, which would be Saturday. The remainder of the game would be played at Southfield, not Lawrence Tech. It was revealed that the reasoning behind the halt in play was due to “security concerns”.

The game resumed Saturday with Southfield failing to convert on the two-point conversion. Sean Hodges would score his second touchdown and Cass Tech would get the extra point to go up 33-24 going into halftime.

There would be no scores in the half until a touchdown from Southfield’s Jawon Jarrett and a two-point conversion made the score 33-32 with around 5:00 left in the third quarter. The score would remain the same until Leeshaun Mumpfield scored on the first play of the fourth quarter, giving the Technicians a 40-32 lead.

Cass Tech would hold onto this lead for much of the fourth quarter; however, Tashi Braceful would score his first touchdown of the day late in the fourth to pull Southfield to within two. The Warriors would score a two-point conversion and tie the game at 40 with 3:34 left in regulation. Southfield received the ball back on their own one-yard line with 1:28 remaining. After running a play for no gain, disaster seemed to have struck when Cass Tech freshman Corey Sadler Jr ripped the ball out of the hands of Isaiah Marshall, giving Cass Tech a 48-40 lead, after a two-point conversion, with 36 seconds left.

Not to be deterred, Southfield, starting from around their own thirty with 33 seconds left, drove down the field. With five seconds remaining, Tashi Braceful scored a touchdown to pull to within two. Jawon Jarrett would help secure the tie and send the game to overtime.

Overtime rules state that each team starts with the ball on the opposing ten-yard line. Cass Tech got the ball first and quickly scored thanks to a rushing touchdown by Sean Hodges, his third of the game; however, the Technicians were unable to score on the two-point conversion, leaving the door open for Southfield. On their fourth play of the drive, Marshall would find Braceful in the endzone to tie the game up at 54. It all came down to a two-point conversion. With the game on the line, Isaiah Marshall would keep the ball and run into the endzone, giving the Warriors the 56-54 win.

The G’s of the Game, presented by GBrand USA, were awarded to Isaiah Marshall and Tashi Braceful. Marshall completed 22 passes for 305 yards and six touchdowns. He also had thirteen rushes for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Braceful had six catches for 111 yards and three touchdowns. Braceful scored the final three touchdowns for the Warriors. Jawon Jarret also had a big game for Southfield with seven catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns.

Sean Hodges led Cass Tech’s offense with two catches and a touchdown, as well as 13 rushes for 88 yards and a touchdown. He also had an 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Corey Sadler Jr had five catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. Sadler also recovered a fumble in the endzone for a touchdown. Leeshaun Mumpfield threw for 218 yards and five touchdowns, as well as rushed for 49 yards and two touchdowns.

Cass Tech will play Carmel in Indiana next Friday as they look for their first win of the season.

Southfield will play on the road against Clarkston next Thursday as they look to remain undefeated.