BELLEVILLE QB NAMED D1-2 PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Bryce Underwood stood on Lawrence Tech’s field this summer, picking apart opponent’s defenses during 7-on-7 competition as a 13-year-old quarterback.

It was then that Underwood showed his talent before stepping on the field for his first high school game as quarterback at Belleville High School.

Once Underwood played for real, he was just as impressive. He threw for 2,888 yards and 39 touchdowns and just four interceptions to lead Belleville to its first state championship in program history. He was named the Michigan Associated Press Division 1-2 Player of the Year.

Underwood who has scholarship offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee, Kentucky and Marshall.

Underwood was at his best in a 55-33 win over Rochester Adams in the Division 1 state title game at Ford Field, throwing for 284 yards and five touchdowns

while also rushing for a 30-yard score.

“I think it’s his upside that makes him special, it’s his sprit, it’s his leadership,” Belleville coach Jermain Crowell said. “He has unbelievable poise, not only for his age, but his poise for anyone. I think his parents have done an amazing job for preparing

him for this role. I think he’s just scratching the surface to be honest with you.

“When you look at the body of work that he did as a whole … I mean wow? I don’t know if Drew Henson made All-State four years in a row and Bryce could be the No. 1 quarterback to ever come through the state of Michigan.”

Underwood was joined by first-team quarterbacks in Warren De La Salle junior Brady Drogosh and Saline sophomore C.J. Carr, grandson of former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr.

Drogosh led De La Salle to the Division 2 state championship, throwing 142 yards and three touchdowns and running for 174 yards and a touchdown in a 4114 title game rout over Traverse City Central.

Carr threw for 2,676 yards and 28 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He has offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State and Wisconsin.

Michigan State-bound Dillon Tatum of West Bloomfield, Ce

MEDIANEWS GROUP FILE PHOTOS West Bloomfield running back Dillon Tatum is among the Oakland County players named Division 1-2All-State for the 2021season by the Associated Press.

Birmingham Groves defensive back Jaden Mangham was selected to the D1-2AP All-State First Team.