Parkway Christian falls in regionals finals, reflects on regular season success

STERLING HEIGHTS — It was an unconventional route to the regional finals for Sterling Heights Parkway Christian.

After dropping five of their first six games and allowing 28 points per game during that stretch, Parkway Christian (6-6) tallied three straight wins to punch their ticket into the playoffs.

“I got an outstanding coaching staff, but there was a time where we lost to Lutheran Westland and that if we didn’t do something at that point, then the wheels would fall off,” Parkway Christian coach Joe Beck said. “We sat them down and had a talk with them to let them know what the task was at hand, and they refocused from there.”

Parkway Christian’s journey showcased the team in its first regional finals game since 2007 and a shot at their first regional title, but a 30-6 loss to Clarkston Everest Collegiate Nov. 11 at Everest Collegiate High School would snap Parkway Christian’s hopes for school history. Everest Collegiate also bested Parkway Christian 47-0 in the 2020 pre-districts.

“Everest is always a tough game. They’re really well-coached,” Beck said. “I always ask them what they’re putting in the water over there, because they’re not big, but they’re really strong.”

Parkway Christian’s defense came out the gate swinging with a quick three-and-out, and sophomore Tyler Powers blocked an ensuing Clarkston Everest punt.

Junior running back Kyler Maiorana would capitalize on the next play from scrimmage with a 15-yard touchdown run.

Maiorana, who left in the third quarter due to injury, finished with 74 yards on the day. Maiorana was a force in the backfield all season for Parkway Christian, rushing for 1,787 yards on the year.

“He’s great at reading blocks, and he’s tough,” Beck said. “He’ll get you the extra yards, and that’s what this team needs.”

It was all Clarkston Everest from there, scoring 30 unanswered points en route to the win.

Injuries were a factor for Parkway Christian as senior team captain Drew Powers was out due to an ACL injury.

Powers was a force on both the offensive and defense trenches, so much so that Parkway Christian matched its scheme around Powers’ skill set.

“We switched to a 3-4 defense, mainly because of Drew Powers,” Beck said. “He plays nose for us, and he clogs up both A-gaps.”

Alongside Powers on the offensive line were seniors Hunter Nysen and Jack Wolgast, whose experience in the trenches will be missed next year for Parkway Christian.

Junior quarterback Luke Wolgast and junior fullback DJ Quest provided consistent offensive firepower.

Junior linebacker Mark Nesler Jr. forefronted the defense alongside Nysen, who led the team in tackles, and Maiorana.

“(Nesler is) our leader on defense,” Beck said. “He calls all the plays for us and makes all the adjustments; he’s probably one of the smartest kids I’ve ever coached.”

While Parkway Christian is set to graduate seven seniors this season, their resiliency this season combined with a healthy amount of returning starters should build a case for excitement in 2023.

“We return almost all our skill guys; we’re going to have a few guys on the line missing, and that’s hard to replace,” Beck said. “We should bring back a pretty good group of guys.”