Webb and Weber lead Cass Tech past Southfield

Cass Tech defeated Southfield 18-14 in the Prep Kickoff Classic’s main event Friday night.

Jayru Campbell put a slow first half to bed as he completed 10 of 11 passes for 110 yards and the eventual winning touchdown for the Technicians in the victory.

“A lot of people doubted us, a lot of people said we weren’t going to win,” Campbell said. “My offensive line stepped up big tonight.”

Cass Tech started five new offensive linemen following the graduation of David Dawson (Michigan) and Dennis Finley (Michigan State).

The new five had trouble at times containing McDowell and Marshall according to Cass Tech offensive coordinator Dave Malecki.

“Southfield had a heck of a defensive line, man Malik is a man-child,” Malecki said. “I’m proud of how we finished.”

McDowell and Marshall proved their worth as the two defensive ends clogged the middle of the field all night long making it hectic for Cass Tech running backs Mike Weber and Gary Hosey to get any consistent breathing room.

Malecki said that Cass Tech ran towards left tackle Joshua Alabi’s side “most of the time.”

“We had trouble blocking McDowell more so than Marshall. McDowell gave us a lot of trouble with his bull-rushing and getting in the backfield,” Campbell said. “I am really proud of how we played tonight.”

Weber opened up the scoring on a 30 yard screen pass from Campbell on a fourth and long and found the endzone again on a 16 yard draw play with six seconds left of play in the first half.

After forcing a Technician punt that landed at the Blue Jay 30 with a minute left in the first half, Southfield looked to move the ball down field.

A high snap eluded Blue Jay quarterback Jalen Brady and Cass Tech recovered setting up the second Weber score to put them ahead of Southfield 12-7 at halftime.

“I just ran my hardest up the middle,” Weber said. “It felt good when we got the ball back to run out the clock [in the fourth quarter].”

Campbell was pleased with the intensity of the game that felt like a playoff atmosphere rather than late August.

“They [Southfield] did a really good job. They had a great team with a lot of athletes all around.”

Weber had 67 rushing yards augmented by Hosey’s 47.

Campbell finished with 18 of 28 for 203 yards and two touchdowns.

Brady was 5 of 7 for 114 yards.

“It was so fun out there seeing the whole city out there, it’s football season,” Weber said.