State Finals Countdown Day 5: Brother Rice Outlasts Rival in Special Season Opener

Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice has reached the state finals for the first time since 2005, and what a memorable season it's been. Every day leading up to Friday's 1 p.m. match-up against Lowell, Patch will take a peek back at a key moment during season that helped get the Warriors to where they are today.

Today's pick: The Warriors' 28-21 victory over Detroit Martin Luther King in the season opener at Eastern Michigan University.

Big play: The defense was the story early and often, as the Warriors forced turnovers on the Crusaders' first two drives and held their explosive offense to only 14 points in the first half. But it was a stunning 78-yard touchdown completion from junior quarterback Cheyne Lacanaria to senior receiver Travis Ferguson on a third-and-21 with just two minutes remaining that sealed the win.

The impact: The gutty win in the Big Day Prep Showdown set the tone for the season as the defense rose to the occasion against one of the best players in the state in Dennis Norfleet. It also avenged the 32-19 defeat to the Crusaders in 2010, and helped Brother Rice prepare for their rematch against Norfleet and MLK in last Saturday's 27-26 playoff victory to get in the finals.

Want to join the fun? Share your thoughts and memories of the season's key moments by adding a comment below or sending them to Art.Aisner@patch.com.