SportsFOX 17 Blitz

Actions

West Catholic looks for state record 5th straight state championship

Posted at 1:29 AM, Nov 22, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-22 01:29:21-05

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich -- West Catholic looks to become just the third school in state history to win five consecutive state championships in football, as the Falcons face Saginaw Swan Valley (12-1) Saturday in the Division 5 state championship game at 4:30 p.m. at Ford Field in Detroit.

"It's an honor. It would be good for this community good for the team," senior defensive end Gabe Rohn said.

West CAtholic had to erase a 21-point deficit in last week's semifinal win over Frankenmuth.

"I don't know that I learned something new, necessarily, as much as it reiterated to the kids, the coaches -- myself included -- that these kids have the heart of a champion, And when that is the case, it makes it difficult for other teams to beat you," head coach Joe Hyland said. "We are going to need that in spades on Saturday, because we have a good team that we are going to play."

With a win Saturday night, Falcon senior Gaetano Vallone can become just the second quarterback (Travis Smith Ithaca 2011-2013) in state history to start in three state championship game victories.