L’Anse Creuse football cements itself as a playoff threat

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Let’s go back to Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse football in 2018.

A year before Orande Roy took the reins as head coach, L’Anse Creuse had failed to win two games in six years, and the school was going on 15 years without a playoff appearance.

Led by seniors Jaiden Sanders, Donovan Weatherly, Mitchell Rivard, and Alan Ouyang, L’Anse Creuse’s 2023 graduating class transformed the program into a perennial playoff threat.

“They’re the best team to ever come through L’Anse Creuse. They did something no other team has done,” Roy said.

L’Anse Creuse captured its first district championship in school history in a 49-7 win over St. Clair Shores Lakeview on Nov. 4 at L’Anse Creuse High School.

L’Anse Creuse, which last made the district finals in 2000, earned some retribution for its 37-0 loss against Lakeview earlier this year.

“I thought that was a big statement for the future of L’Anse Creuse,” Roy said.

While the district title was a significant step forward for the program, it meant a regional semifinals matchup against reigning Division 2 state champion Warren De La Salle Collegiate (11-1) on the horizon.

L’Anse Creuse had De La Salle against the wall on its first possession but couldn’t capitalize for points.

“They put together a really nice drive out the gate, but our defense made the adjustments to keep them out of the end zone,” De La Salle coach Dan Rohn said. “Their quarterback had a really nice game.”

De La Salle senior Brady Drogosh carved up the L’Anse Creuse defense, throwing for 270 yards and four touchdowns in the first half. Drogosh, a University of Cincinnati commit, also ran for 120 yards and three touchdowns in the first half.

The Pilots took a 48-0 lead into halftime and would take the win 55-7 at Wayne State University on Nov. 11.

While it was a tough loss against a strong opponent, Roy said there was a positive takeaway the L’Anse Creuse team could carry heading into next season.

“I thought when we lost that game with the way we lost that game, in my head, I thought we were two years away,” Roy said. “We drove the ball, but we couldn’t stop them. Brady Drogosh is everything you write him up to be.”

L’Anse Creuse, which plays in the Macomb Area Conference’s White Division, prides itself on playing a tough out-of-conference schedule to prepare for the playoffs. With games against Ferndale and Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, the younger players have continued to be battle-tested.

Roy said that experience will pay off for the future of L’Anse Creuse football.

“That was probably one of the bonuses when you play a team like De La Salle. You get to see what you’re lacking,” Roy said. “I think that was a big punch to our younger guys. They saw what’s expected if you want to get to Ford Field.”

Sanders (QB), Weatherly (WR), Michael Kurtz (T), Rivard (WR), and Ouyang (RB), who rushed for 1,300 yards on the season, all contributed to establishing a dominant offense for L’Anse Creuse.

Weatherly contributed five interceptions on the year, while senior Matthew Mertz added three of his own on the season. Senior Chad Jacobs tallied 13 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. Senior Stephfon White was also a key factor for the L’Anse Creuse defense.

L’Anse Creuse will graduate 20 seniors this year but will return an array of experienced and tested talent that is ready for a regional run.

Juniors Brandon Gordon (DT), Amarion Brownlee (CB), Donovan Conely (OL), Christian Djuric (OL), Quincy Dorsey (WR), and Bryant Shack (RB) will lead the 2023 senior class

“I’m very confident that we’ll be competitive in the White again, I’m very confident that we’ll make the playoffs again and I’m very confident that we’ll be back at regionals again,” Roy said.

If the 2022 season taught him anything, Roy said there was one major thing that stood out.

“The only way we can make it to the state finals is beating De La Salle,” Roy said. “There’s no other way. You have to go through them.”