Dakota 28, Eisenhower 10

Dakota storms back for victory over Eisenhower

Shawn Wright / Special to The Detroit News

Macomb -- Quarterback Mark Morris had the golden touch Friday night, throwing three touchdown passes to lead Macomb Dakota over Utica Eisenhower 28-10 in a Division 1 district final playoff game.

Dakota (9-2), who rallied after trailing 10-7 at halftime, had two turnovers in the first half. Dakota coach Mike Giannone was sweating it a little at halftime, to say the least.

"I broke more than a sweat," he said. "I broke blood vessels."

But a different Dakota (9-2) football team took the field, and the lead, in the third quarter after Morris connected with wide receiver Deandre Smith for a 50-yard touchdown with 6:34 left in the quarter, one of his two TD catches. The extra point was good, giving Dakota a 14-10 lead.

"Adversity hit and we overcame," Morris said. "We made some adjustments at halftime, coaches did a great job of it, and it ended up working out for us."

Morris gave an encore performance on the following possession, throwing a 52-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jordan Gay.

"Jordan Gay is the unsung hero of this team," Giannone said.

"He's the guy that I would put on the cover if we were to say, 'Dakota football.' "

Morris was 8-of-10 passing for 163 yards and rushed for 48 yards on 10 carries.

Running back Brandon Hughes' 3-yard touchdown run was Dakota's last score.

Eisenhower (7-4) took the halftime lead on a field goal with 20 second left in the second quarter. But it settled for three points after having a first-and-goal on Dakota's 5.

"Defensively, I thought we played well against them," Giannone said.

"We made a few changes defensively, we had a few quicker guys in there this week and I think that helped us out."

That possession was the culmination of a 95-yard drive, with Eisenhower quarterback Joe Zerafa starting it off with a 24-yard run.

On the next play, Zerafa connected with wide receiver Jack Sauber on a 60-yard pass. Zerafa finished 12-for-27 with 133 yards passing. He also had 118 yards rushing on 28 carries and a touchdown.

"Tony has done that every game," Eisenhower coach Robert Lantzy said.

"I'm just so glad he's made some All-Star teams because he belongs on them."

Shawn Wright is a freelance writer