General | August 28, 2021 | 20:00

Life without Thomas Wilcher has started for Detroit Cass Tech.

After three state titles Wilcher has moved onto Michigan State and the reins have been turned over to Marvin Rushing.

Rushing and the Technicians made their debut against Southfield A&T at the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State University Saturday afternoon.

They looked good in a 49-22 over the Warriors.

Quarterback Leeshaun Mumpfield passed for six TDs to lead the offense.

"He's the best quarterback in the state,'' said Rushing, who got a victory bath after the game. "Everybody is going to measure him by height, but they don't know the heart and the work ethic, they don't know the work habits.

Speaking of work the Technicians will practice Sunday for a showing at Muskegon next week.

"If you are late you won't get on the bus,'' Rushing told his team.

Mumpfield looked sharp on the Technicians first possession with the lefty throwing a 25-yard TD pass to wide receiver Khamari Anderson with seven minutes, 15 seconds left in the first quarter to give CT a 7-0 lead.

A 15-yard punt gave Cass Tech great field position at the Warriors 44.

Mumpfield went deep to Jemeel Gardner Jr. for a 31-yard score with 4:07 left in the first quarter to give the Technicians a 14-0 lead.

"I feel like I'm the best quarterback in the state,'' said Mumpfield. "Not being cocky, but nobody can do what I do. I've gotten bigger and stronger. I'm 5-foot-9 with cleats on. I thought I played great; six touchdown passes says it all. I have great receivers and we haven't changed much since last year.''

Southfield drove to the Cass Tech two but got stuffed on third down and Marshall's pass was incomplete on fourth down. 

Mumpfield got his third TD pass of the half on a 12-yard strike to Julius Faulkner to increase the lead to 21-0.

Mumpfield's first incompletion didn't come until 4:33 was left in the first half.

He completed his fourth TD pass to Gardner, his second of the game, with 3:37 left in the first half to make it 28-0. He finished the first half 13 of 15 for 180 yards.

His fifth TD pass of the game, a 24-yarder to Javen Sewell, gave CT a 35-0 lead and a running clock for most of the second half. Sewell was ejected in the fourth quarter along with Southfield's Ray Arae for fighting.

Southfield finally got on the board with a 38-yard pass from Isaiah Marshall to Al'lik McCain with 4:58 left in the third quarter.

Mumpfield responded with his sixth TD of the game, a 23-yarder to Elijah Jordan.

 "We haven't really changed anything,'' said All-State lineman Deone Walker. "When coach doesn't act like a head coach I'll get on him.''