Southfield A&T football defeats West Bloomfield on final play in Division 1 semifinal

TROY, MICHIGAN — The Southfield A&T Warriors (12-1) are headed to the state championship for the first time in school history. It was a back and forth battle between the Warriors and the West Bloomfield Lakers (10-2) Saturday afternoon, but the Warriors came out on top 40-35. Southfield A&T will meet back-to-back state champion Belleville (13-0) in the Division I state title game at Ford Field.

Here are three takeaways from the game:

Kept fighting

Southfield A&T lost just one game in the regular season, and it came courtesy of West Bloomfield. Southfield A&T came into the rematch with a different attitude, and it showed from kickoff until the final whistle. After stopping West Bloomfield on the opening drive, Warrior senior running back Mathias Davis ran in the first points of the game.

The teams traded blows for the entirety of the game, but West Bloomfield grabbed its first and only lead (35-34) with less than a minute to go in the fourth quarter. Senior Southfield A&T quarterback Isaiah Marshall (Kansas commit) proceeded to drive his team down the field with a combination of precise passes and elusive runs. 

A sideline back-shoulder throw to senior receiver Xavi Bowman put the Warriors on the five-yard line with fewer than ten seconds to go.

Two plays later, Marshall pounded in the game-winning touchdown as time expired. Marshall finished with over 300 total yards to go along with two passing touchdowns and two more on the ground.

Marshall said he knew West Bloomfield scored too quickly.

“Big time players make big time plays,” Marshall said. “I knew when they scored with 55 seconds left, they left too much time on the clock. Me and my offense drove down the field and we scored and it ended the game.”

Unsung hero

One of the most important aspects of the Southfield A&T offense is the running game. Senior running back and defensive end Mathias Davis scored two touchdowns for the Warriors Saturday, and he was one of their biggest contributors on defense as well.

Southfield A&T head coach Aaron Marshall said Davis barely saw the sideline.

“Davis is a bull, man,” Marshall said. “He’s a very strong, very talented kid. I don’t think he came off the field. He started at D-end every play, played running back half the game, special teams, whatever we need him to do, he does. He’s one of those seniors. Shoutout to my strength and conditioning coach, because all my boys are strong and in shape.”

Lakers fell short

On October 13, West Bloomfield beat Southfield A&T 31-20. Saturday’s semifinal game was much closer, and it ultimately came down to who had the ball last. 

Senior West Bloomfield quarterback Reqez Nance had four passing touchdowns, and he used his legs effectively throughout the game. Junior Laker wide receiver Elisha Durham had over 100 yards and a touchdown.

Senior West Bloomfield tight end and defensive end Brandon Davis-Swain (Colorado commit) had two receiving touchdowns and one on the ground. 

Davis-Swain was his usual dominant self on defense as well, although he wasn’t able to get home when rushing the passer. Davis-Swain was out of the game with an injury for the final play of the game. 

The Technicians will play Belleville (13-0) in the Division 1 title game on November 26 at 7 p.m. at Ford Field.