West Bloomfield's dangerous offense was on display when they defeated Sterling Heights Stevenson 47-7 at Wayne State University in the 2022 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic.
After a slower start to the first quarter, the Lakers jumped to an early 6-0 lead at the 3:55 mark, with a rushing touchdown from Kenneth Jones III, senior running back.
Sterling Heights quickly responded with a 62-yard gain at the 3:42 mark from junior Caden Bollinger. The big gain was followed up by a 1 yard rushing touchdown at 3:07 to take the lead 7-6 by junior Alex Delorey.
West Bloomfield stormed right back with a touchdown pass to senior Deonte Pippen Jr. from junior quarterback Requez Nance. Nance was successful on the two-point conversion with a keeper that extended the lead 14-7.
After a quick defensive stop, Nance found Pippen Jr. again, this time on an 87-yard touchdown pass to give the Lakers a 20-7 lead going into the second quarter. The two-point conversion try failed.
Another stop was followed by a one-yard rushing touchdown by Jones III making the score 27-7.
Nance extended the lead to 34-7 with a seven-yard rushing touchdown before the half.
Nance said the locker room was a bit down going into the half because they believed even if with the lead they weren't playing as well as they should.
"When we walked into the locker room, the locker room was just down like we were actually down, but the team got together at the end of halftime," said Nance.
Out of the half the Lakers forced a turnover on downs at 6:43 in the third quarter. It was followed up with a 17-yard touchdown reception at 4:33 by Semaj Morgan, senior wide receiver, from Nance. The extra point by Ward was no good but the lead was extended 40-7.
The Titans had no answer for the Lakers and it continued at 5:40 left in the fourth quarter when Ralph Rodgers, senior running back, took home a 56-yard touchdown which made it 47-7.
Nance was awarded the DICK'S Sporting Goods Most Outstanding Player with 288 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 88 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown.
Nance credited the offensive line, Pippen Jr., and Morgan for his performance.
"Semaj be catching everything and I don't know how it works but I love all my receivers and my o-line I have to shout out my o-line," Nance said.
Morgan, who's committed to Michigan, earned the Legacy Football Ironman Award.
"It feels good to come out here with my team and I just thank god to come out here everyday to play football because without him I ain't going to be able to come out here and just play," Morgan said.
