General | August 29, 2024 | 20:58

Detroit – Division 1 powerhouse Davison and Division 2 runner-up last year Warren De La Salle renewed its rivalry at Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic Thursday evening at Tom Adams Field on the campus of Wayne State University.

The Pilots were looking to avenge last year's 31-26 opening game loss at Davison in a monsoon which took two days to play.

"The physicality of our defense,'' said Coach Dan Rohn. "They gave up three points right before the half. We put them in some bad situations. Ton of credit to our defensive staff.''

Despite some shaky offense the Pilots got their revenge in a defensive struggle 21-3.

"The defense was there all night,'' said quarterback Sante Gasperoni. "We ran some packages with Anthony tonight.

Backup quarterback/linebacker Anthony Bitonti led the offense with three rushing scores in a roller coaster night.

"I didn't expect to play quarterback a lot tonight,'' said Bitonti. "It was a shaky first half. I went into the locker room and rallied around my boys. There was lots of support. We have a big second half. Sante and I really had a good summer together. We support each other.''

Davison's offense never materialized as the Pilots shut down running back A.J. Hill and pressured quarterback Jaxson Dosh.

Both teams had fumbles in the red zone.

 Bitonti fumbled a snap on fourth down to kill a drive and Dosh and Hill fumbled an exchange on the five with the Pilots Dewayne Williams recovering with 8:31 left in the half.

It took a 20-yard field goal by Ryder Ferguson as time expired in the first half to give the Cardinals a 3-0 lead in a defensive struggle.

 It was an unusual game for Bitonti.

He had a fumble in the first half, killing a drive.

"He got kind of down after that play,'' said senior linebacker Dalton Drogosh. "I said we need your head in this and we need you as our middle linebacker.''

He had a personal foul penalty on defense on Davison quarterback Dosh.

In the third quarter he fumbled the snap from center in punt formation. He took off, gaining 46 yards to put the Pilots in excellent field position.

"It was one-hop and I saw a giant opening and I just took off,'' said Bitonti. "I figured run. The hole was there. Coach gave me a look and he said alright.''

Bitonti finished the drive with a five-yard touchdown run with 8:08 left in the third to give the Pilots a 7-3 lead.

Davison was guilty of three penalties on its first drive in the third quarter.

A poor punt gave De La Salle great field position at the Davison 46.

Again, Bitonti finished the drive with a nine-yard run with 5:07 left in the third to give the Pilots a 14-3 lead.

A poor punt gave Warren De La Salle the ball on the Cardinals 28 to start the fourth quarter.

Bitonti scored his third with 8:22 to play.

"We played a little too tight that first half,'' said Rohn.