By: Jonathan Szczepaniak | Grosse Pointe Times | Published September 7, 2022
GROSSE POINTES — Grosse Pointe North knew it would have a test when it went to face Warren Mott Sept. 1 at Warren Mott High School.
“That was our watermark game,” North coach Joe Drouin said. “We wanted to see how we’d handle ourselves against Warren Mott.”
North last played Mott in 2019 during its homecoming game and was dismantled 42-7, but North was ready to rewrite history this time around.
Senior running back Jaden Holyfield opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run, and a touchdown reception by sophomore Leo Perettie put North up 14-0 heading into halftime.
Mott responded early in the second half, scoring in two plays, and would answer once more to tie the game at 14 as North found itself struggling on offense.
Offensive woes continued as Mott returned to North territory with a chance to take the lead late in the game, but sophomore defensive back Sebastian Rouse had other plans. Rouse, who has three interceptions on the year, tallied his second pick-six of the season with a 65-yard house call to give North the lead.
“That really supplied a lot of energy,” Drouin said. “The defense had to go back out, and they answered with a three-and-out.”
Mott’s defense had a chance to bring up a fourth down for the North offense, but penalties would be the downfall of Mott’s chances and Holyfield put the game out of reach with a touchdown run for North.
“My son was on the sidelines, and he said that was the most fun he’s had in the five years I’ve been coaching,” Drouin said.
North improved to 2-0 on the season and will open its Macomb Area Conference-Gold schedule at home against Eastpointe Sept. 9.
Drouin said there’s one factor that has made his team successful this year.
“It’s belief,” Drouin said. “The kids believe they can win.”