2016 Season Photos
Falcons in the News:
Post Season:
Ryan Flaherty - 2nd Team Defensive Back
Nate Wagner - 2nd Team Linebacker
Drew Sheckell - Honorable Mention Tight End
Ernest Allen - Honorable Mention Running Back
Nate Higley - Honorable Mention Wide Receiver
Brady Anderson - Honorable Mention Offensive Line
Jaleel Anderson - Honorable Mention Defensive Line
Detroit Free Press - 1st Team All State
Nate Wagner - 1st Team All State Linebacker
Ryan Flaherty - 1st Team All State Defensive Back
Detroit Free Press: Honorable Mention All State
Ernest Allen - Honorable Mention Running Back
Brady Anderson - Honorable Mention Offensive Line
Nate Wagner - LB Jake Zanolli - LB
Griffin Best - DL Jaleel Anderson - DL
Ryan Flaherty - FS Maurice Kelley - LB
Drew Sheckell - TE Chaise Ford - LB
Coach Flaherty - Coach of the Year
Congratulation to Coach Flaherty Associated Press Division 1-2 Coach of the Year.
Team Awards
Deon'tea Pannill Lineman of the Year:
Jaleel Anderson
Brady Anderson
Drew Sheckell
Brian Hafner Linebacker of the Year:
Nate Wagner
Jake Zanolli
Spirit Award
Mike Hill
Beau Kewley
Clay Wilms
Most Valuable Back
Ernest Allen
Nate Higley
Ryan Flaherty
Bill Rankin Unsung Hero Award:
Carter Stupyra
Dylan Sutton
Anthony Galdi
Parents Award
Nate Wagner
Congratulation to Nate Wagner Associated Press Division 1-2 1st Team All State Linebacker, Ernest Allen.
Game Previews and Recaps:
Week 13: Martin Luther King Saturday at Dearborn @ 1:00
Preview: Martin Luther King comes into week 13 as the defending Division II State Champs and are record of 10-2. This will be the first time that King and Groves hav met. The winner will play in the Division II state championship game on Friday November 25th at Ford Field.
Recap: On Saturday afternoon at Dearborn, the Falcons lost in the state semifinals to Martin Luther King by a score of 14-7. The Falcons defense held them in the game for most of the first and half and into the second half. Senior Nate Higley hit Sr. Drew Sheckell on a double pass for the score and senior kicker Christian Sosa kicked the PAT. Junior inside linebacker Mo Kelley had an interception with 2 minutes to go to give the Falcons a shot at evening up the score but they weren't able to convert on fourth down and gave the ball over to King. The Falcons accomplished a lot this year, including the following: OAA White Champions, District Champions, Regional Champions, most games played in a season (13), and most wins in a season (11). Over the past two years, the Falcons went 21-3!
Week 12: Grosse Pointe South (Home) Friday 7:00
Preview: Grosse Pointe South comes into week 12 as winners of their district and a 8-3 record. South is led by senior QB Logan Mico, Jr. Runningback Jhordan Rush, and Sr. TE Andrew Sharp. GP South Plays in the MAC (Macomb Area Conference) White Division. They have wins over GP North, Detroit Cody, Utica, Fraser, Utica Ford, Anchor Bay, L'Anse Cruese North, and Port Huron Northern. This will be the first time these two teams have met.
Recap: On Friday night at Groves, the Falcons varsity team made school history by beating Grosse Pointe South in the regional championship and advanced to the semi-finals next week. The offense was led by Sr. Runningback Ernest Allen who carried the ball 16 times for 137 yards and one TD. Jr. Runningback Collin Heard carried the ball 9 times for 100 yards and scored 3 TDS. Beau Kewley add a rushing TD and threw for 137 yards. Jr. Runningback Qaadir Ali also added a rushing TD. Sr. Kicker Christian Sosa hit a 37 yard field goal before halftime. The Falcons continue to play great defense as South was able to score 10 points and only moved into Falcon territory 4 times on the night. Sr. Nate Wagner and Sr. Jake Zanolli led the way on defense. This is the first time Groves has won a regional championship, advanced to the final four, and won 11 games in a season.
Week 11: Brother Rice (Home) Friday 7:00
Preview: Brother Rice and Groves will face off for the district championship for the third time and twice in the past three years. Rice comes into week 11 with a 7-3 record and returns to the playoffs after not making it last year. Groves is 2-8 against Rice with the their last victory coming in 1963 beating them 14-6.
Recap: On Friday night at Groves, the Falcons captured their second district championship and first one since 2004 by beating Brother Rice 24-0. The offense got off to a good start by driving 70 yards on the opening drive and Sr. RB Earnest Allen scored from 7 yards out to give them an early 7-0 lead. The defense took over from there, holding Brother Rice to 2 first downs in the first half. Sr. Nate Wagner and Jr. Maurice Kelley led the team in tackes. Sr. Ryan Flaherty, Jr. Colin Heard, and Sr. Jake Zanoli all had interceptions, and Sr. Defensive End Anthony Galdi had a fumble recovery. Sr. DB Willie Townsel blocked a punt in the third quarter that set up another Earnest Allen rushing TD to make the score 14-0. Sr. Kicker Christian Sosa added a field goal in the third quater to push the lead to 17-0. Jr. all purpose back Colin Heard added a final TD late in the game to make the score 24-0.
Oakland Press: Associated Press All State
Congratulation to Ryan Flaherty for 2nd team all state. Click on the link below to read more:
Detroit Free Press: All North Team 2016
Nate Wagner - 1st Team Linebacker
Ryan Flaherty - 1st Team Defensive Back
Jaleel Anderson - 2nd Team Defensive Line
Ernest Allen - Honorable Mention Running Back
Brady Anderson - Honorable Mention Offensive Line
Jake Zanolli - Honorable Mention Linebacker
Drew Sheckell - Honorable Mention Tight End
Week 13: Martin Luther King (Playoffs)
Week 10: Berkley (Home) Friday 7:00
Preview: Berkley comes into week 10 with a 6-3 record and a second place finish in the OAA Blue Division. Berkley has made the playoffs for the third consecutive year and were districts champs last season. Berkley and Groves have seen a lot of each other in recent years. In 2013, Groves squeaked out a 29-22 victory, in 2014, they played two times including a 32-29 Berkley victory on a last second field goal and then again in the first round of the playoffs with Groves coming out on top 35-13. Last year they meet in week 7 for the OAA Blue championship, the Falcons won 47-14. In the series, Groves holds a 8-5-1 record over the Bears.
Recap: On Friday night at home the Falcons beat Berkley 56-15 in the first round of the playoffs. Groves took an early control on both sides of the ball and jumped out to a 42-0 lead before the Bears could score. Sr. QB Beau Kewley was 6 for 10 for 76 yards and 2 TDs, Sr. RB Earnest Allen carried the ball 10 times for 109 yards and 3 TDs. Nate Higley, Colin Heard, Demonte McCurdy, Colton Tinsley and Qaadir Ali all added Touchdowns for Groves.
Week 12: GP South (Playoffs):
Recap:
Varsity: On Friday Night, the Falcons wrapped up the OAA White Division Championships by beating Farmington 46-0. Nate Higley returned a punt for a TD and also caught a TD Pass. Drew Sheckell and Nate Wagner also caught TD passes, Chaise Ford and Demonte McCurdy added touchdowns.
Junior Varsity: The JV team beat Farmington on Thursday night 49-12. The wins pulls their record to an even 4-4 on the season. They look for a winning season next week at home vs Saline.
Freshman: The freshman continued to add up wins on the year. On Thursday afternoon they beat Farmington's freshman 48-6. They move their record to 6-1-1 on the season. They also finish up the season next week at home vs Saline.
Week 8: Farmington (Away) Friday 7:00
Preview: Farmington comes into week 8 with a 2-5 record. Their wins are over North Farmington and a forfeit win vs Walled Lake Western. The last time Groves played Farmington was in 2014 for the league championship at Groves. Farmington came out on top with a 24-20 victory. The series is currently tied 2-2. Groves can clinch the outright White league championship with a win on Friday night.
Week 9: Saline (Away) Friday 7:00
Preview: Saline comes into week 9 with an 8-0 record, ranked 4th in the state and winners of the Southeastern Red Conference. Saline has been one of the top programs in the state in the past 5 years. They have been to the playoffs the past five years and is 50-7 since the 2012 season. This the first meeting between the two teams.
Recap:
On Friday night the Varsity team traveled to Saline High School. They lost 38-3 and ended up going 8-1 on the season.
Junior Varsity: On Thursday night at Groves, the JV team lost 28-14 to Saline. The JV teams ends up with a 4-5 record on the year.
Freshman: On Thursday afternoon at Groves, the freshman team lost 31-0 to Saline. The Freshman team ends up with a 6-2-1 record on the year.
Week 7: Adams Home (Homecoming) Friday 7:00
Preview: Rochester Adams comes into week 7 with a 5-1 record and with the highest scoring offense in the white division. Adams is led by four year starting QB Kyle Wood. Groves and Adams have not met since 2009 when Adams won 36-0. Adams holds a 20-10 overall record against Groves.
Recap:
Varsity: On Friday night in front of a packed homecoming crowd, the Falcons pulled out a 15-8 victory over Rochester Adams High School. This marks the first victory over Adams since a 1984 7-6 win. Jr. Running back Collin Heard got the scoring started as he scored from 9 yards out and Sr. Running Back Earnest Allen pilled in for the 2 pt. conversion early in the third quarter. Adams would score right before the 3rd quarter ended to make it an 8-8 tie. With four minutes to go in the game, Sr. wide receiver Nate Higley took a reverse and followed Sr. Guard Brady Anderson to the endzone for the game winning touchdown. Groves moves its record to 7-0 on the season and 5-0 in the OAA White Division.
Junior Varsity: On Wednesday night at Rochester Adams, the JV team lost 48-21. The JV record is now 3-4.
Freshman: On Wednesday afternoon at Rochester Adams, the freshman team were down 14 points with less than 2 minutes in the game. They were able to score twice including a TD pass with no time left on the clock and kick the extra point to end the game in a 31-31 tie. The Freshman record is now
5-1-1.
Statechamps: Groves vs Brother Rice
Birmingham Eccentric: Groves vs Brother Rice
Mlive Article #2: Groves vs Brother Rice
MIprepzone: Groves vs Brother Rice
Detroit Free Press: Groves vs Brother Rice
Oakland Press: Groves vs Brother Rice Preview
Mlive Game of the Week: Groves vs Brother Rice
Week 6: Harrison (Away) Friday 7:00
Preview: The Falcons head over to Farmington Hills Harrison on Friday night for an OAA White Division showdown. Harrison is currently 3-2 and 2-1 in the White Division. They lost their opener to East Kentwood by a touchdown and lost to Rochester Adams in Week 4. The last time these two teams played was last year in the first round of the playoffs with Groves winning 10-0. Harrison owns a 12-4 record in the series.
Recap:
Varsity: On a rainy Friday night the Falcons headed over to Farmington Hills Harrison.This would be a night of defenses for both teams. Harrison opened up the scoring in the second quarter to take a 7-0 lead. Groves offense came alive and drove down the field. Sr. running back Earnest Allen ended the drive with a 1 yard TD run and Sr. Kicker Christian Sosa tied it up with 14 seconds to go in the half. The game would remain scoreless through the third and fourth quarters. With defense and special teams playing a huge part in the rain. Groves was forced to punt several times in the second half, Groves had great snaps from Sr. defensive back/long snapper Dylan Sutton and Sr. runningback/linebacker/punter Nate Wagner kept flipping the field with his punts. Sr. wide receiver and punt returner Nate Higley also played a huge role in special teams as he caught several punts in the rainy weather. The game would end as a tie in regulation and the Falcons were headed to OT for the second time this year. Groves would start with the ball, after three plays, the Falcons were on Harrison's 2 yard line. On fourth down, Sr. QB Beau Kewley found Sr. tight end Drew Sheckell in the endzone for a TD. On Harrison's first play, Sr. safety Ryan Flaherty came up with an interception that ended the game! With the win, the varsity moved their record to 6-0, 4-0 in the white and qualified for the playoffs for the fourth straight year (school record).
Junior Varsity: On Thursday night at Groves, the JV played in a battle against Harrison's JV team. They would end up losing 7-0 on a fourth quarter TD.
JV Record: 3-3
Freshman: On Thursday afternoon at Groves, the Freshman continued their winning ways by beating Rochester 58-0.
Freshman Record: 5-1
Week 5: Seaholm (Home) Friday @ 7:00
Preview: Seaholm comes into week 5 with a 1-3 record. They beat Farmington on Friday night 29-28 to earn their first victory of the year. The Maples have played three tough teams in weeks one through three. (Brother Rice, Adams, Harrison). The Falcons are on a 2 game win streak in the series. Last year they beat the Maples in week one 24-8.
Recap:
Varsity: On Friday night at home, the Falcons improved their record to 5-0 on season by beating Seaholm 36-0. The Falcons were led by their defense, causing three turnovers. Jr. Colin Heard collected his 6th interception of the year and Nate Wagner, Mo Kelley, and Ryan Flaherty led the defense in tackles. The defense line held Seaholm to 70 yards rushing. The D-line is anchored by Sr. Jaleel Anderson, Sr. Anthony Galdi, Sr. Drew Sheckell, and Jr. Griffen Best. On offense, Earnest Allen paced the way with 123 yards rushing and two TDs. Wr Nate Higley caught his 3rd TD pass of the year. This was the third straight victory over Seaholm for the Falcons.
Junior Varsity: On Thursday Night at Seaholm, the JV team stretched their winning streak to three games by beating Seaholm 28-6. The JV improves their record to 3-2 on the season.
Freshman: On Thursday afternoon at Seaholm, the Freshman also beat Seaholm by a score of 46-7 and pushed their winning streak to 4 games. The freshman team improves their record to 4-1 on the season.
WEEK 4: North Farmington (Away) Friday @ 7:00
Preview: North Farmington comes into week 3 with an 0-3 record. In week one they lost to Walled Lake Northern, in week 2 they lost a close game to Troy Athens and in week 3 Rochester Adams beat the Raiders. The Falcons and Raiders have met 14 times with North Farmington holding a 8-6 record. The last time these two teams met was in 2013 at Groves. The Falcons won 49-22 at Falcon Field.
Recap:
Varsity: On Friday night the Falcons won 45-0 at North Farmington. Sr. TE Drew Sheckell started the scoring by hauling in a 38 yard TD pass from Sr. QB Beau Kewley. Sr. RB Earnest Allen and Jr. RB Qaadir Ali both added TD's. Jr. Colin Heard had 2 interceptions returning one for a TD. Sophomore Demonte McCurdy had his first interception and returned it for his first varsity TD. The win moved the Falcons overall record to 4-0 and 2-0 in the white division.
Junior Varsity: On Thursday night at Groves the JV team beat Bloomfield Hills 25-0 moving their record to 2-2.
Freshman: On Thursday afternoon at Groves, the Freshman made it 3 in a row with a 39-6 victory over Bloomfield Hills. With the win, the freshman move their record to 3-1.
Week 1: West Bloomfield
On Thursday night the Falcons lost a thriller at West Bloomfield 31-28 in OT. They were trailing 28-14 late in the fourth quarter. The defense was able to get a stop and Sr. QB Beau Kewley ran it in from 20 yards out to pull within 7. After a failed onside kick attempt, the Falcons were able to get West Bloomfield to go three and out and punt the ball away with less than a minute to go. Beau Kewley found Jr. Collin Heard on a 40 yard post route for a score and Christian Sosa kicked the extra point to send the game to OT. Unfortunately in overtime, the Falcons missed their field goal and West Bloomfield kicked a field goal on the first play to get the win.
*West Bloomfield used an ineligible player during the varsity game and forfeited the game.
Record: 1-0
The freshman lost 33-13 and the JV also lost 14-12.
Week 2: Oak Park
Preview: Oak Park comes into week 2 as one of the top teams in the state. They are led by offensive lineman Marquan McCall and JayRamond Hall. The Falcons and the Knights have met 10 times (Mostly in the early 70's) with the Falcons holding a 6-4 overall record. The last time these two teams met were at Groves in 1995. The Falcons pulled out a 19-13 OT victory. The Falcons Eric Gerwin and Marcus Forester stuffed the Oak Park running back on 4th down to end the game.
Results: On Friday night, the Falcons squeaked out a 13-12 victory over the Oak Park. Seniors Nate Wagner and Nate Higley both caught TD passes on the offensive side. Senior safety Ryan Flaherty had 2 interceptions and senior DE Drew Sheckell came up huge with a fumble recovery on the Falcons one yard line.
Record: Overall: 2-0 League: 1-0
Junior Varsity: On Wednesday night the JV team lost to Oak Park 47-6. This drops the JV's record to 0-2 on the year.
Freshman: On Wednesday night the Freshman team beat Oak Park 48-6 bringing their record to 1-1 on the season.
Week 3: Southfield A & T (Home)
Preview: Southfield A & T comes in to week 2 with a 1-1 record. The lost their first game to sate power house Detroit King 39-0. But they rebounded during week 2 to beat Clarkston in overtime to bring their overall record to 1-1.
Results:
Freshman: On Thursday afternoon the Freshman traveled to Southfield A & T and came out with a 28-8 victory! This moves the freshman record to 2-1 on the season.
Junior Varsity: On Thursday night the JV team won their first game of the year beating Southfield A & T 19-12. this moves the JV record to 1-2.
Varsity: On Friday night before a great crowd, the Falcons pulled out another tight game over one of the better teams in the state. They were able to stop Southfield A & T on fourth down inside their 20 and run out the clock for the 13-7 win. Sr. QB Beau Kewley found Sr. WR Nate Higley for a 38 yard score early in the third quarter to tie the game at 7-7. Sr. Running back Earnest Allen punched in the eventually game winner late in the third quarter. The defense led by Sr. DE Drew Sheckell and Jr. DB Collin Heard held A & T to 7 points and caused 5 turnovers. (2 Interceptions both by Heard and 3 fumbles.) The win moved the Falcons record to 3-0.
Groves vs Adams - Game of the Week Preview
Detroit News "Top Games of the Week"
Oakland Press - Picks for the week
Detroit News Picks for the week
Detroit Free Press - Picks for the week & article on Coach Flaherty
Detroit News Review of Top Game of the Week
Birmingham Eccentric - Groves vs Adams
Week 6: Harrison
MIPrepzone - Division 2 Playoff Preview
MIPrepzone - "Kosmo's Picks for the Playoff Games"
C & G News: Groves vs Berkley Preview
Week 9 Saline:
Groves vs Saline - MLIVE.com article
Week 8: Farmington
Click on Detroit Friday Football Frenzy
Birmingham Eccentric - Groves vs Farmington
MIPREPZONE: "Prep Roundup":
Birmingham Groves 46, Farmington 0 - At Farmington, Nate Higley caught a 28-yard touchdown pass and returned a punt 66 yards for another score as Groves remained unbeaten. Damonte McCurdy returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown and Chaise Ford recorded a sack and had a 67-yard scoring run for Groves (8-0, 7-0 OAA White). Farmington dropped to 2-6, 1-5.
Week 7: Rochester Adams
Oakland Press Game of the Week
Oakland Press Groves vs Harrison
Detroit Free Press - Groves vs Harrison Post game interview
Detroit Free Press - Groves vs Harrison Post game interview #2
Detroit News "Prep Roundup":
Birmingham Groves 14, Farmington Hills Harrison 7 (OT): Ernest Allen rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries and Beau Kewley threw the game-winning 1-yard touchdown pass to Drew Sheckell for Groves (6-0, 4-0 OAA White). Guam Lee Jr. had six carries for 45 yards and a touchdown for Harrison (3-3, 2-2).
Week 5: Seaholm
Groves vs Seaholm - Oakland Press #2
C & G News - Article on Groves Team - September 28th
State Champs - "Burney Bytes" September 27th
Week 4: North Farmington
Week 3: Southfield A & T
Detroit News - Top Games of the Week
Mlive - 5 Things to Watch for in Week 3
State Champs - Top 10 games of the Week
Southfield Game - Birmingham Eccentric
Southfield Game - Oakland Press
Southfield Game Mlive #2 Article
Southfield Game Mlive #3 Article
Week 2: Oak Park