Two late TDs lift Cass Tech to regional victory over Dakota
With the outcome still in doubt, Cass Tech took its game to another level against host Dakota on Friday night.
Technician quarterback Leeshaun Mumpfield scored on a 7-yard run with 1:07 left, breaking a 21-21 tie. Alex Graham followed with an interception and returned it 40 yards for an insurance score with 34 seconds to play, lifting Cass Tech to a 3521 Division 1 regional final win over the Cougars.
“We knew this was going to be difficult,” Cass Tech coach Marvin Rushing said. “I think it was 2015 when we came over here and had to knuckle up to get out with a win that day. We knew it would be the same today. Dakota has a great defense. They were relentless and physical.”
For three-plus quarters, the Cougars and Technicians exchanged blows like two heavyweight boxers.
Cass Tech jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead on a 63-yard run by Sean Hodges. It was the first of three scores for the senior running back, who rushed for 281 yards on 25 carries.
“He’s a darn beast,” Rushing said. “He’s finally starting to believe in himself and running behind his pads. He might be small in stature, but he’s a giant with that ball in his hands. We’ve been riding his shoulders the last few weeks and that’s why we’re on this terrific ride.”
Dakota tied the game 7-7 on an 8-yard run by Joe Cacevic in the opening quarter. It was the first of his three scores as he finished with 176 yards on 25 rushes.
“He ran for almost 180 yards, and he might weigh 150 pounds,” Dakota coach Greg Baur said. “He has a heart of a lion and is the heartbeat of our offense. He rushed for almost 1,500 yards this year, which is amazing.”
The Cougars took a 14-7 lead late in the first half when Cacevic scored on a 9-yard pass from quarterback Ethan Hamby.
Cass Tech tied the game 14-14 on the opening drive of the third quarter when Hodges scored on a 13-yard burst, before Dakota answered on its ensuing drive with Cacevic scoring on a 6-yard run, taking a 21-14 lead with 6:18 left in the third quarter.
“We made some changes to our front in the second half and not allow (Dakota) to adjust as much,” Rushing said. “We just
had to clean some things up at halftime. We were overrunning some of our gaps and we weren’t reacting to the counter trey. We started doing that better in the second half and it helped us win.”
The Technicians tied the game 21-21 with 9:09 left in the final quarter when Hodges scampered in from seven yards out.
“Hodges is so elusive and when he hits the hole and accelerates, he’s so hard to catch,” Baur said. “He’s a really good back.”
After gaining nine yards on its first play of Dakota’s next possession, the Technicians’ defense dropped Cacevic for losses on his next two rushes, forcing
the Cougars to punt, setting up their eventual winning drive.
“On their touchdown drive, they converted on a couple thirdand-longs,” Baur said. “It’s frustrating for us because we didn’t play as well as we normally do, but a lot of that had to do with Cass Tech.
“With Cass Tech, you want to take away certain things that they do,” Baur added. “It’s hard to take it all away. We wanted to take away their run, pass, option game and passing game, and limit their run game. We did it for a long time but couldn’t do it at the end there. They made the plays when they had to.”
Mumpfield completed 10of-14 passes for 177 yards. The win improved Cass Tech’s record to 9-3 overall and moved the Technicians into next Saturday’s Division 1 semifinal where they will play the winner of Saturday’s regional final
game between Detroit Catholic Central and Belleville.
“It just comes down to what we were preaching,” Rushing said. “We have to comeback and have a great practice on Sunday, and every day of the week. Then I will like our chances.”
The loss ended Dakota’s season at 11-1 overall. Baur said this loss hurts but doesn’t take away from so much that was accomplished this season.
“They’re going to wake up tomorrow and understand the great season they had,” Baur said. “To go undefeated in the regular season and undefeated in the MAC Red, and win a district championship, that stuff doesn’t happen every day. It’s frustrating we didn’t get this one, but they should be proud of themselves, because I am so proud of them as their coach.”