NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e p S
DECEMBER 13, 2023 candgnews.com Oakland County papers
Royal Oak ice rink returns through February BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com
The Rink at Royal Oak opened once again in the downtown on Nov. 17. It will stay open until Feb. 19, 2024.
ROYAL OAK — It’s time for skaters in Royal Oak and neighboring cities to lace up their skates and hit the ice, as The Rink at Royal Oak is back for a second year. The Rink at Royal Oak opened for the season on Nov. 17 and will run through Feb. 19, 2024. Jon Witz, who brought the rink idea to the city last year, is excited to have The Rink at Royal Oak back for a second time. “There’s tremendous excitement for coming back this year,” he said. “I definitely think the rink should be an annual tradition or experience, so to speak. It’s been very well received by local residents and folks from around the region. It draws people from outside of Royal Oak to the downtown in colder months, you know, when some of those businesses would love that traffic and impact, and it’s just a great way to invade a park space that would be otherwise inhabited.” According to Witz, the rink brought in 17,000 skaters and drew 35,000 people to the park over three months last winter. To improve upon the rink this year, Witz said they’ve added heated kiosks to provide more heat and areas for skaters to change. He also stated they leveled the deck space to the rink, as that was a complaint they heard last year. “There were some ups and downs with the terrain and getting from the deck area to the rink,” he said. “I would say just the access is easier. And then we opened up the area by moving the skate house and the concessions to the northwest of the area, which opened up the rink to Third Street and Lockhart’s and The Rock on 3rd, and just visually we’ve opened it up to more street space than we did last year.” See ICE RINK on page 9A
Photo provided by the city of Royal Oak
SOUTHFIELD RESIDENT AIMS TO TELL THE ‘GOOD’ BLACK HISTORY BY KATHRYN PENTIUK
kpentiuk@candgnews.com
SOUTHFIELD — Southfield resident Anthony Brogdon is sharing what he calls “good” Black history on his YouTube channel, Strong Inspirations, where he interviews guests from around the world who share their connections to Black history. Since Brogdon launched his channel in 2020, he has spoken with over 500 guests from Africa, Australia, the UK, Canada and the Caribbean, and he has amassed over 2,000 subscribers.
Some of his noteworthy guests include Kenneth B. Morris, the great-great-great-grandson of Frederick Douglass; A’Lelia Bundles, the great-great-granddaughter of Madam CJ Walker; Dan Duster, great-great-grandson of Ida B. Wells; Kevin Lloyd, the son of National Basketball Association first Black player Earl Lloyd; and William Anderson, who was jailed with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brogdon hopes to shed light on Black history through these inspirational stories and change the narrative, especially since he said that shock is the most common reaction he gets when he shares positive stories during public appearances. See BROGDON on page 9A
Southfield resident Anthony Brogdon is a businessman turned historian, filmmaker, author and podcast host. Photo provided by Anthony Brodgon
C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • DECEMBER 13, 2023
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Ice dance team wins national championship BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com
T
wo teenagers from Novi are taking the world of competitive figure skating by storm as they chase after their dream of Olympic gold. After being paired together for only six months, Cooper Cornwell, 15, and his partner, Jasmine Robertson, 14, have won every competition that they have competed in this year and are the 2023-24 U.S. national novice ice dance champions. The team won the title after winning the national novice competition Nov. 14-15 in Minneapolis. “It’s incredible, really, with what (they) pulled off with getting together late in the season and then going up against teams that have been together for three or four years,” said Cornwell’s mother, Lisa Waishes-Cornwell. The two have devoted themselves entirely to perfecting their craft from a young age. Robertson, who moved to Novi from Nashville, fell in love with the sport at the age of 4 while living in Idaho. “She’s the type of kid where you’ve gotta constantly be having her do something,” said Heather Norton, Robertson’s mom. “So, I decided to put her in skating, and she just loved it. I offered. I’m like, ‘Do you want to do skiing, do you want to play hockey, or do you want to be on the ice?’ and she’s like, ‘I want
Cooper Cornwell and Jasmine Robertson, novice ice dancers who train in Novi, maintain a rigorous practice schedule to be able to compete at an elite level. Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
to dance on the ice.’ And I said, ‘OK.’” Cornwell fell in love with the sport at age 8 after attending a friend’s birthday party in his hometown of Los Angeles. He said he knew instantly that he had found his “passion” and told his parents. “When I was about 8, Mom took me to a birthday skating party at the Toyota Center in Los Angeles, where the Kings (practice), and I really enjoyed myself,” Cornwell said. “I had been doing lots of other sports at the time and didn’t really like any of them, like lacrosse, baseball,
soccer, basketball, and none of them were really my thing, and then I went ice skating and it was. I loved it.” He said he started taking “learn to skate” classes immediately after talking to his parents about his desire to be a skater. He excelled quickly in the classes and said a coach asked him if he was interested in doing ice dancing. He quickly fell in love with it. “I love performing. I like partnering, more dance. Not that freestyle is not impressive. Also, I’m much too tall for free-
style,” said Cornwell, who towers above the ice at 6 feet, 3 inches tall. Robertson said she used to do both freestyle and ice dance but has chosen to strictly pursue ice dance. “I always really had a passion for dancing and the expression part of figure skating, and I also really enjoyed skating with a partner and having someone there, and so I just made the decision to skate ice dance,” Robertson said. “I love the performance aspect of it.” See ICE DANCE on page 7A
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3A/ C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • DECEMBER 13, 2023
Southfield A&T players hoist the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 State Finals trophy. Photos by Erin Sanchez
‘IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING’
SOUTHFIELD A&T CLAIMS FIRST STATE TITLE IN SCHOOL HISTORY IN 36-32 WIN OVER BELLEVILLE
Teen Clean Closet looking for donations to help students BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com
ROYAL OAK — A local nonprofit organization is looking for donations to help students in need. The Teen Clean Closet helps provide hygiene products for students in the area and has been in operation since 2017. The closet has locations in Royal Oak High School, Royal Oak Middle School, Addams Elementary School and the Churchill Community Education Center. “If a student needs something, they go and get it,” said co-founder Kim Johnson. “Usually, most of the closet locations in schools are facilitated by administrators and staff members. So a student might approach the counselor, or more likely what happens is a teacher or counselor recognizes that a student needs support and offers them the opportunity to go to the closet and get what they need.” Johnson runs the closet with her coSee TEEN on page 10A
BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com
S Southfield A&T senior running back Mathias Davis dives into the endzone for a rushing touchdown.
outhfield A&T head coach Aaron Marshall described his squad after their regional championship win over West Bloomfield Nov. 18 as a “team of firsts,” in reference to the school’s first-ever regional title and state finals berth. The Warriors had never so much as held a district championship in the school’s history, but as Southfield A&T took the field for the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 State Finals Nov. 26 at Ford Field against the two-time Division 1 defending state champions Belleville, the Warriors were banded together for one final gridiron matchup in the brightest lights See FOOTBALL on page 10A
Teen Clean Closet has locations in multiple Royal Oak Schools and other locations in the city. Photo provided by Teen Clean Closet
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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • DECEMBER 13, 2023
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5A/ C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • DECEMBER 13, 2023
DEC. 14
Menorah lightings: Also ice menorah, doughnutdecorating bar, kids activity zone, hot cocoa, latkes and Grand Gelt Drop, presented by Royal Oak Chabad Jewish Center, 4:30 p.m., Center and Fourth streets by Eagle Plaza in Royal Oak, RSVP encouraged at jewishroyaloak.com/menorah • 5:30 p.m., near Franklin Public Library, 32455 Franklin Road
DEC. 14-17
DEC. 15-18
‘Jingle Babs’: 8 p.m. Dec. 15-16 and 18, and 3 p.m. Dec. 17, Ringwald Theatre at Affirmations LGBTQIA+ Community Center, 290 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale, theringwald.com
DEC. 16
Holiday Sleigh of Giving: Gift giveaway for Southfield and Lathrup Village families in need, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Road, (248) 796-5300
‘Disney’s Descendants the Musical’: Performed by Stagecrafters, 7 p.m. Dec. 14-16 and 2 p.m. Dec. 16-17, Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette in Royal Oak, stagecrafters.org
Breakfast with Santa: Also Toys for Tots benefit presented by Marine Corps League, Detachment #159, 8-11 a.m., Berkley VFW Hall, 3025 Coolidge Highway, (248) 798-4460
DEC 14-16
Santa Returns: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Hazel Park Historical Commission and Museum, 45 E. Pearl Ave., facebook. com/CityofHP
‘A Nice Family Christmas’: 8 p.m., Farmington Players Barn, 32332 W. 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills, farmingtonplayers.org, farmingtonplayers.org
DEC 15-16
Holiday concerts: Performances by Farmington Chorus, 8 p.m. Dec. 15 and 4 p.m. Dec. 16, The Hawk - Farmington Hills Community Center, 29995 W. 12 Mile Road, farmingtonchorus.com
DEC. 15-17
Santa visit: 1-4 p.m., Royal Oak Historical Society and Museum, 1411 Webster Road, facebook.com/ RoyalOakHistoricalSociety Celtic Christmas: Featuring Motor City Irish Dancers, 1-3 p.m., OPC Social and Activity Center, 650 Letica Drive in Rochester, (248) 659-1029
‘A Christmas Carol’: Select dates until Dec. 24, Meadow Brook Theatre on campus of Oakland University, 378 Meadow Brook Road in Rochester, mbtheatre.com Holiday lights: 5-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 5-8 p.m. Fridays-Sundays until Jan. 15, Innovation Hills Park, 2800 W. Hamlin Road in Rochester Hills, (248) 656-4673 Holidays at Meadow Brook: Holiday Walk select dates until Dec. 23, Winter Wonder Lights select dates until Dec. 30, Santa visits select Saturdays, and more, Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive in Rochester, meadowbrookhall.org/holidays Visit Santa and reindeer: Select times and dates until just before Christmas, Festival Park and Fountain Park in The Village of Rochester Hills, 104 N. Adams Road, thevorh.com/events Holiday shop: Handmade gifts from more than 200 juried artists, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and noon-4 p.m. Sundays until Dec. 20, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, 1516 S. Cranbrook in Birmingham, BBArtCenter.org Canterbury Wonderland Walkthrough and Holiday Dinosaur Wonderland: Hundreds of trees, millions of lights, photos with Santa, kids activities, character
Victorian Christmas: Experience traditions of 1850s60s, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 15, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Dec. 16, and noon-3 p.m. Dec. 17, also Breakfast with the Victorians, 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 17, Troy Historic Village, 60. W. Wattles Road, troyhistoricvillage.org
Old-Fashioned Christmas: Live music, crafts, theater groups and more at various buildings, noon-3 p.m., Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, rochesterhills.org/musprograms
‘A Christmas Story: The Musical’: Performed by Ridgedale Players, 8 p.m. Dec. 15, 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 16, and 2 p.m. Dec. 17, 205 W. Long Lake Road in Troy, ridgedaleplayers.com
‘The Nutcracker’: Presented by Valentina’s Ballet Theatre, noon and 5 p.m. Dec. 16, and 3 p.m. Dec. 17, Berman Center for the Performing Arts, 6600 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield, theberman.org
Editors: Brian Louwers | (586) 498-1089 | brianlouwers@candgnews.com Annie Bates | (586) 498-1071 | abates@candgnews.com David Wallace | (586) 498-1053 | dwallace@candgnews.com
ONGOING
Sports: Jonathan Szczepaniak | (586) 498-1090 | jszczepaniak@candgnews.com
‘Talley’s Folly’: Unlikely love story between Jewish immigrant and Protestant from conservative family, 8 p.m. Dec. 15-16 and 2 p.m. Dec. 17, The Inspired Acting Company, 1124 E. West Maple Drive in Walled Lake, inspiredacting.org
DEC. 16-17
Santa House: Visit with Kris Kringle, also horse-drawn carriage rides, character visits and free roasted chestnuts and hot cocoa, select times and dates until Dec. 24, Shain Park in Birmingham, RSVP at allinbirmingham.com
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Noon-3 p.m. Dec. 16-17, 23 and 27-30, Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, rochesterhills.org/mus programs displays, prehistoric creatures with a festive twist and more, select dates until Dec. 24, Oakland Mall, 412 W. 14 Mile Road in Troy, oaklandmall.com/event
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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • DECEMBER 13, 2023
Cornwell and Robertson met in 2021 during an ice dance skater development camp. The two had been selected individually to attend, as they had both placed in the top nine in the country that year. Both of them had other partners at the time but became fast friends. The two kept in touch and then independently decided to move to Novi, where some of the best coaches in the world teach. Then at the start of the skating season last May, the two found themselves without partners and decided to join forces. They had only four weeks to put together their routines before their first competition, but they managed to skate away with gold medals. “They’ve only been together for about six months, but to see them, you think they’ve been together for years,” WaishesCornwell said. Cornwell said that they have a good energy together and that he is the more “chill” of the two. “We balance each other out, and it works really well, I think,” said Cornwell. Robertson agreed, saying she likes how well they mesh together. She credited this to the fact that they were friends before they became partners and said that helps to give them the edge on the ice. Norton agreed with Cornwell’s description of his and Robertson’s relationship on the ice. She said her daughter gets hyper focused on the job of the sport, while Cornwell’s mindset is, “We’re going to do this and it’s going to be good,” and agreed that they balance each other out. In order to achieve success, the teens maintain a rigorous practice schedule and follow specific diets. The two practice for approximately eight hours a day, often starting at 7:45 a.m. and not ending until 5 p.m. Practice includes on-ice training and off-ice instruction in various forms of dance and lifts, and workouts at local gyms. Their schedule is so intense that both of them participate in virtual school programs. After practice, Cornwell spends his weekday evenings working to complete his high school education through Novi High School’s virtual program. He said he spends about three to four hours each night working on his schoolwork. In order to have less stress during the skating season, Cornwell takes classes year-round. Both Cornwell and his mom praised the school district for helping him to succeed academically while working to achieve his ice dance dreams. Waishes-Cornwell said that Novi High School counselor Rebecca Chinn has re-
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ally “jumped through hoops” to ensure that Cornwell can complete his high school education while competing in ice dance, and the virtual program still offers him the opportunity to attend school functions such as football games, homecoming and prom. Tammy Raffle, Novi Virtual success coach, said that the Novi Virtual program serves a population of students who are unable to attend traditional in-person classes. She said Novi High School virtual students are able to take a variety of electives, including AP courses, in addition to the core courses, and they are provided with live daily instruction on Zoom by Novi teachers. “Cooper is a perfect example of how we are able to provide options for families who still want a Novi education but need flexibility due to extenuating factors like elite athletic training, overseas travel, illness and many other variables,” said Raffle. However, it’s not just the skaters who have to sacrifice in order to achieve their dreams, but their parents and families as well. Waishes-Cornwell and Norton estimate that they spend approximately $100,000 a year on skating-related expenses, including multiple different types of coaches, choreographers, travel expenses, costumes, skates, weekly massages, etc. However, along with the pocketbook, it also puts a strain on family unity. Cornwell’s parents purchased a condo in Novi in order for him to be trained at the Novi Ice Arena by world-renowned coach Igor Shpilband. His sister remains in LA, and his parents rotate between the two households every six weeks, sacrificing time with each other, as when one parent is here, the other parent is in LA. Norton made a similar sacrifice so that Robertson can train in Novi. Norton only goes home to see her husband in Nashville once a month. According to Robertson, the willpower and determination and dedication to her sport came naturally to her. However, Cornwell said that it is difficult sometimes. He said it is challenging to balance schoolwork with skating and a social life, and he often misses his family and friends. Still, both of them say that the sacrifices are worth it to achieve their dream. “It’s OK. It will be worth the gold medal,” Robertson said. The couple aspires to compete together in the Olympics one day, but said that is still several years off, as they are only competing at the novice level right now. They will compete in Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 22-26 against other couples who placed in the top five at the national event last month. They hope to find success in that event and be invited to compete in an international competition in Italy come February.
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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • DECEMBER 13, 2023
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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • DECEMBER 13, 2023
Brogdon from page 1A
“If I can put it into a percentage, I would say about 70% of it is that some people don’t want people to hear these stories because they’re too inspiring and motivating. And so the land that only wants to tell one side of it to make the other person, the prey, feel inadequate. The other part is that many people have not investigated these other authors. There are people who have done it. There are books out there on such people. It’s just that it’s not sensationalized, and the more demeaning stories are.” He added that sometimes people don’t believe the success stories of Black people in history, and he’s received backlash after presentations for not focusing on the typical narrative surrounding Black history. His reasoning for focusing on the good is that he believes that the negative is often perpetuated, especially in academic settings. His aim is to empower and uplift the Black community by sharing positive stories. In addition to public speaking and Strong Inspirations, Brogdon is an author and filmmaker. The native Detroiter and Oakland University graduate with a degree in marketing found himself chronicling history by “happenstance” he said. Brogdon explained that he had always been fascinated by Black business history. After attending a panel held by Lewis Business College that featured business owners in
Ice rink from page 1A
“We had some complaints about the quality of the rental skates last year, so we ensured that the skates that we were getting were either new or 1-year-old skates, and there’s just been really great reviews on the skates that we have,” he continued. City Manager Paul Brake said that the ice rink brings in a number of visitors to Royal Oak who otherwise would not come to Centennial Commons. He also was happy to see the improvements made to the rink this year. “With the skate rental, it’s much more an integrated offering whereas before the different huts and stands and things like that kind of appeared to be an afterthought,” he said. “Now it’s much more attractive, where it almost appears as if it is something that would be there year-round.” “This is a popular location; I look directly out my window out there and it’s popular for skaters during the day as well as
their 70s and 80s who had been operating their businesses since the 1950s, Brogdon found some footage from the ‘50s and decided to become a filmmaker. He produced his first film in 2014, a documentary called “The Great Detroit.” Drawing from his experience at the 1994 panel of Black business owners, Brogdon released another documentary in 2017, “Business in the Black,” which details the rise of Black businesses in America. The film toured in over 40 U.S. cities as well as Toronto, Canada, and London, England. After releasing “Business in the Black,” Brogdon was inspired to create the “Black Business Book” in 2019, which was based on the documentary and includes over 200 facts about Black business history in the U.S. Brogdon said he is passionate about educating and inspiring youth, which prompted him to create a children’s book, “They Did It,” which is adapted from a screenplay he wrote with the same title and on the Black Business Book. “They Did It” has no mention of slavery and features 30 successful Black business owners who lived during the 1800s. Currently, Brodgon is working on releasing a film based on “They Did It,” which will be out by February or March. Naima Shamborguer, one of Brogdon’s latest guests on Strong Inspirations, is a native Detroiter, a jazz vocalist, a 2020 Kresge Artist Fellow and the creator of Sister Strings, a project that focuses on music and education tracing the history of string instruments, vocals and percussion in the Black community
into the evening,” he continued. Witz stated he learned a lot from that first year of organizing the ice rink. While he did one previously at Campus Martius, it only was for three days. “Producing a rink for a full season for the first time, which we did last year, we were naturally going to try and, you know, and make the experience better, and we’ve heard from patrons that they feel that we’ve done that,” he said. The rink also has a special toy drive going on Dec. 8-10 where toys will be collected for the Bottomless Toy Chest, a Troy-based nonprofit that provides toys for hospitalized pediatric oncology patients. Those who make a donation will receive hot chocolate and marshmallow roasting kit coupons. The rink’s hours from now until Dec. 31 are noon to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. For more information on the rink and specials such as free skate days and rentals, visit therinkatroyaloak.com.
from slavery to modern day. Shambourguer appeared in an episode titled “Do you know how an ancestor can influence generations?” She shared her family’s history in education and music. Her account is based on a memoir that her grandfather, who was one of 13 children, wrote to keep the family’s history intact through the generations. She said that her family’s history is in The E. Azalia Hackley Collection of African Americans in the Performing Arts at the Detroit Public Library. “There’s a lot of history from even when I was born in the ’40s. I talk to young people now, and they have no idea. They have no idea what neighborhoods were like or how things were when we grew up,” she said. Shamborguer stated that being able to share her family’s legacy on Brogdon’s show was a wonderful feeling.
“I’m very proud to have been born then and that I can share my history with him,” she said. Brogdon added that his favorite part about interviewing people on his show is sharing those stories that might not be told elsewhere. “I’m chronicling history. I’m putting people — and many of them might not ordinarily get in a media or video scenario — and now their story is forever ingrained in some format and it can be seen however many years YouTube is around,” he said. For more information on Brogdon’s books and films, visit businessintheblack.net/ main. Visit YouTube.com and search “Strong Inspirations” to find Brogdon’s channel. For more information on Shamborguer’s upcoming performances and music, visit naimashamborguer.com.
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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • DECEMBER 13, 2023
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Teen
from page 3A
founder, Erica McEvoy, and her daughter, Rachael Johnson. The closet items are provided to students at no cost and vary from deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and bars of soap. There also are locations at the Royal Oak Public Library, Royal Oak Senior Community Center and Metro Detroit Youth Club. “Sometimes some of the locations have hand soap, the senior center closet has laundry supplies, hand moisturizer, ChapStick, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss,” Johnson said. Royal Oak Schools Superintendent Mary Beth Fitzpatrick said the closets are directly available to students in the schools, though for the elementary location, students can go to the office to retrieve anything they need.
“We definitely have seen a need from the families and from the students,” she said. “Some of the things are nice to have and others are just a must-have that sometimes, you know, they don’t quite afford to have or don’t have the means to get. So we know the closet helps quite a bit.” According to the closet, it has seen a 20% increase in use this year. However, there also has been a 40% decrease in donations, which has led to its latest drive to ask the community for support. “I think that for the students that need these products, it’s a level of independence that they can go and get things for themselves that they need and can take them home,” Fitzpatrick said. “It also gives them one less thing to worry about, either as a student or a member of their family who may have some competing needs, and it’s absolutely an asset to our district and for our kids.” Johnson said anyone looking to donate items can bring them from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays to Fridays to the Metro Detroit Youth Club, 1545 E. Lincoln Ave., or from 9 a.m.
Football from page 3A
in Michigan high school football. Southfield A&T senior quarterback Isaiah Marshall (Kansas commit) has been the frontman for the Warriors all season long with his dual threat ability, and an 11-yard rushing touchdown from Marshall would put the Warriors up 36-32 with 0:47 left in the fourth. Marshall ran in the two-point conversion to make it a 4-point lead. Belleville claimed the 32-28 lead on a 17-yard rushing touchdown by senior Jeremiah Beasley (Michigan commit) with 4:47 left in the fourth, holding their first lead since Belleville senior running back Colbey Reed punched in a 16-yard rushing touchdown just before the end of the first quarter to make it a 7-6 game. “For us, we kind of handle adversity a little bit differently,” Aaron Marshall said. “I looked at Isaiah (Marshall) as they scored the last touchdown and said, ‘What else would you want?’” The first thing I said on the headphones was, ‘Good,’ because they left us that much time left.” Belleville junior quarterback Bryce Underwood, a consensus five-star recruit and top player in the nation in the 2025 class according to 247Sports, went out firing on the final drive in efforts to get the ball downfield, almost coughing up two interceptions on his first two passes. As Underwood stepped back to pass with under 20 seconds left at their own 33yard line, A&T senior linebacker Dorian Freeman locked onto Underwood’s line of sight and jumped right in front of Underwood’s pass for the game-sealing interception. “My coaches just told me to spy the
Southfield A&T senior quarterback carries the ball. Photo by Erin Sanchez
quarterback, and wherever he did I would go, and then just read my zone,” Freeman said. The Warriors were given a little more time to operate on their game-winning drive in comparison to the 54 seconds West Bloomfield gave them in the regional championship, and Isaiah Marshall and his offensive unit exhausted all the time they could get. Isaiah Marshall connected with senior wideout Tashi Braceful (Toledo commit) for a 6-yard and 12-yard gain to continue the drive at midfield.
Photo provided by Teen Clean Closet
Teen Clean Closet provides to local youth hygiene products such as deodorant, shampoo, conditioner and body wash, as well as items including socks. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Fridays to the Senior Community Center, 3500 Marais Ave. People also can buy items on a wish list or donate directly to the closet. For more information, visit teencleancloset.com.
Braceful, who hauled in 10 receptions for 152 yards and a touchdown in the win, was Marshall’s security blanket all night in the passing game, and A&T needed him to step up with senior wideout Jawon Jarrett sidelined due to injury. “We knew we had a guy down,” Braceful said. “I believe we have the best receiving core in the state, and I knew when my number was called that I knew I had to make plays, so that just goes back to Isaiah (Marshall). It’s easy when you got the best quarterback in the state throwing to you.” Marshall would connect with senior wideout Xavi Bowman for a 13-yard gain down to the Belleville 29, and it was all on the legs on Marshall from there. Marshall would tally two rushes for 15 yards before making a house call on an 11yard touchdown run. When you talk about cornerstone pieces for a program, Isaiah Marshall has been the Warriors’ leader throughout his entire career at A&T. “My four years here have been a lot of ups and downs,” Isaiah Marshall said. “Just to win with my team this last year has meant a lot to me. Just doing it with these guys, my coaches, and for the community of Southfield means a lot. I couldn’t do it without them.” Marshall threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 134 yards and a touchdown in the win, garnishing excitement from not just the A&T crowd but Kansas Jayhawk fans everywhere for what they hope to see on future Saturdays. “We knew he was going to run the ball, and he shows a lot of strength and a lot of speed,” Belleville head coach Calvin Norman said. “We knew that going into the game.” Southfield A&T took a 28-10 lead on
a 19-yard touchdown pass from Marshall to Bowman as the Belleville defender tipped the pass and Bowman stayed focused to make the catch at the back of the end zone. The Warriors’ offense jumped out to the healthy lead courtesy of two rushing touchdowns from senior Mathias Davis and a 13-yard touchdown pass from Marshall to Braceful. “We got out early, which was great on our part,” Aaron Marshall said. “I think we needed that lead, as you can see. It gave us a little bit of a cushion. We knew the score at halftime had to be 0-0. We knew they do what great teams do, which is make a big run in the second half, and they did just that. They got some key stops, got a turnover, and made some big plays.” Belleville, which went into the state finals with a 38-game win streak, stormed back behind a 45-yard touchdown connection from Underwood to senior Jalen Johnson and back-to-back rushing touchdowns from Beasley to take the lead. Beasley finished with 15 attempts for 106 yards and two scores in the loss. It will be an entirely new look Southfield A&T next season as the majority of the team’s core will be graduating this year, but the foundation for success has been laid by the 2024 senior class for future seniors to follow. While it may be a new group, expectations will be high for the Warriors as they enter next season as the defending Division 1 state champions. “It’s special for the community,” Aaron Marshall said. “It’s been a long time coming. All week, I’ve been getting a lot of calls from guys I never met congratulating the boys on making it here. We never made it to the championship game, let alone won one, so it’s real big for the community.”
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