Flint-area football highlights: Davison rallies to beat two-time defending state champ

Davison junior running back AJ Hill’s (1) helmet flies off as Warren De La Salle senior defensive back Kandakai Sherman Jr. (3) hits him forcefully to the ground in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior wide receiver Phoenix Glassnor (23) shakes a tackle attempt by Davison senior linebacker Jalen Edwards (10) and continues to run the ball in for the second touchdown in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior linebacker Dewayne Williams forces an incomplete pass by Davison senior quarterback Sawyer Glennie (9) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison junior running back AJ Hill throws a stiff arm out to push Warren De La Salle sophomore defensive back Walker Neff (10) after shaking two other tackles on a first down run in the first half of the game during Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior defensive lineman Anthony Presnell (64) pulls away from Davison junior offensive lineman Hunter Dunaway (56) to help stop Davison junior running back Dom Perez (27) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison fans watch from the stands in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior defensive back Jarad Augustine (5) punches the ball loose to force a fumble on a reception by Warren De La Salle senior wide receiver Bebe Rabhi (13) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison sophomore defensive back Robbie Martin (8) leaps in celebration after making a stop in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison junior running back AJ Hill (1) bullies his way past Warren De La Salle junior defensive back Isaiah Jones (21) after shaking two other tackles on a first down run in the first half of the game during Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison cheerleaders pump up the crowd in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

From left to right: Davison seniors Carter Herriman (32), Sawyer Glennie (9) and Chuck Armstead (25) wait in the tunnel before taking the field against Warren De La Salle during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior defensive back Jarad Augustine (5) wraps up Warren De La Salle junior wide receiver Phoenix Glassnor (23) for a tackle in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior linebacker Dalton Drogosh (24) and senior defensive end Brady Pellegrom (19) jointly take down Davison senior running back Carter Herriman (32) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison’s dance team performs at halftime during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle senior wide receiver Bebe Rabhi (13) runs into a flock of Cardinal defenders in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison players stand for the national anthem before playing against Warren De La Salle during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior linebacker Jalen Edwards (10) wraps up Warren De La Salle sophomore running back Isaac Gattine (40) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior wide receiver Phoenix Glassnor (23) shakes a tackle attempted by Davison senior linebacker Chuck Armstead (25) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison head coach Jake Weingartz shouts out instructions to players from the sideline in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior wide receiver Phoenix Glassnor, left, shakes a tackle attempted by Davison senior linebacker Chuck Armstead (25) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior quarterback Sawyer Glennie (9) looks down the field for an open receiver in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison seniors Carter Herriman (32) and Chuck Armstead (25) lead the Cardinals onto the field to face off against Warren De La Salle during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison junior Payton Kokaly (0) rushes the ball in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison junior running back Dom Perez (27) stands for the national anthem before playing against Warren De La Salle during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior quarterback Sante Gasperoni (15) throws a pass in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison sophomore Robbie Martin (8) and two teammates jointly take down Warren De La Salle junior wide receiver Phoenix Glassnor (23) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior defensive end Jaxen Clark (95) runs to the sideline after his helmet popped off during the previous play in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior linebacker Jalen Edwards (10) tackles Warren De La Salle sophomore wide receiver Damion King IV (2) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison sophomore defensive back Robbie Martin dives atop a ball fumbled by Warren De La Salle in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior Sawyer Glennie (9) punts the ball away in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle senior defensive lineman Bradley Zepp (61) leads the team out onto the field before facing off against Davison during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison sophomore defensive back Robbie Martin (8), left, celebrates with his teammate Jalen Edwards (10) after recovering a Warren De La Salle fumble in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison junior running back AJ Hill (1) sprints forward for a first down in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison sophomore offensive lineman Ben Nichols (70) bows his head for the national anthem before playing against Warren De La Salle during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior quarterback Sante Gasperoni (15) rushes the ball up the left side in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior linebacker Dewayne Williams forces an incomplete pass by Davison senior quarterback Sawyer Glennie (9) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior wide receiver Phoenix Glassnor (23) darts upfield for positive yards in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison junior running back AJ Hill (1) rushes for a first down in the first half of the game during Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior quarterback Sante Gasperoni (15) throws a pass that ended in a 60-plus-yard touchdown reception in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior quarterback Sawyer Glennie (9) is taken down after scurrying for a few positive yards in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison junior wide receiver Braylen Naves (11) stands for the national anthem before playing against Warren De La Salle during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior quarterback Sante Gasperoni (15) rushes the ball up the left side in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior quarterback Sawyer Glennie (9) tosses the ball off to junior running back AJ Hill (1) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior defensive back Jarad Augustine (5) punches the ball loose to force a fumble on a reception by Warren De La Salle senior wide receiver Bebe Rabhi (13) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior quarterback Sawyer Glennie (9) throws a pass in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior defensive back Jarad Augustine (5) wraps up Warren De La Salle junior wide receiver Phoenix Glassnor (23) for a tackle in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior quarterback Sawyer Glennie (9) throws a pass in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison’s student section cheers on the Cardinals in the first half of the game against Warren De La Salle during Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

A referee watches on before the snap in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle sophomore wide receiver Damion King IV (2) catches the ball and sprints to the end zone for a more than 60-yard touchdown in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior wide receiver Buddy Banks-Williams (3) runs the ball upfield in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison junior running back AJ Hill (1) sprints through an opening in the line in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle sophomore wide receiver Damion King IV (2) celebrates a more than 60-yard touchdown reception in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior wide receiver Phoenix Glassnor (23) catches the ball and runs it into the end zone for the second touchdown in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior quarterback Sawyer Glennie (9) hands the ball off to junior running back AJ Hill (1) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior quarterback Sawyer Glennie (9) scrambles away from Warren De La Salle senior defensive end Brady Pellegrom in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior defensive back Isaiah Jones (21) wraps up Davison senior wide receiver Buddy Banks-Williams (3) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison junior running back AJ Hill (1) rushes for a first down in the first half of the game during Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior quarterback Sawyer Glennie (9) pivots to scramble out of the pocket in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior wide receiver Phoenix Glassnor (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring the second touchdown in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison junior running back AJ Hill’s (1) helmet flies off as Warren De La Salle senior defensive back Kandakai Sherman Jr. (3) hits him forcefully to the ground in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison head coach Jake Weingartz marches up the sideline in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison senior defensive back Jarad Augustine (5) plows over Warren De La Salle senior wide receiver Bebe Rabhi (13) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Davison’s dance team performs at halftime during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

Warren De La Salle junior linebacker Dalton Drogosh (24) and senior defensive end Brady Pellegrom (19) jointly take down Davison senior running back Carter Herriman (32) in the first half of the game during the Flint and Genesee Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium. (Jake May | MLive.com)

FLINT – Davison was expected to be one of the Flint-area’s top football teams in 2023 based on the returning players from last year’s 9-2 team.

But as far as being a statewide power once again, well that was something that was still up in the air.

Not anymore.

The Cardinals recorded perhaps their biggest victory since they won the 2019 Division 1 state championship by beating two-time defending Division 2 state champ Warren De La Salle 31-26 in a marathon game that stretched over two days.

The game began Thursday at Atwood Stadium as part of the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic but was postponed at halftime when severe weather set in with De La Salle leading 14-0. It resumed Friday at Davison and the delay was apparently good for the Cardinals.

They scored the only 10 points of the third quarter and then won a wild shootout in the fourth, scoring three of the period’s five touchdowns and winning on a 23-yard pass from Sawyer Glennie to A.J. Hill with 23 seconds left.

Glennie, making his first varsity start, also threw a 37-yard TD pass to Buddy Banks-Williams, Carter Herriman scored on a 2-yard run, Jaxen Clark returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown and Ryder Ferguson kicked a 27-yard field and four PATs.

Glennie completed 12 of 24 passes for 229 yards, Hill rushed 15 times for 66 yards, Banks-Williams had seven receptions for 140 yards and Herriman led the defense with 20 tackles that included a sack.

Swartz Creek’s Sincer Boyd (25) scored four TDs in a 60-6 victory over Flint in the season opener. (MLive File Photo by Zachary Clingenpeel)

Swartz Creek 60, Flint 6

Sincer Boyd rushed 10 times for 155 yards and three touchdowns to lead Swartz Creek, which led 28-0 after the first quarter and 52-0 at halftime.

Boyd also had 80 receiving yards and another touchdown.

Stephen Vesely added 131 rushing yards and two TDs for Creek, which got rushing touchdowns from Andrew Booth, Kavin Lockwood and quarterback Brett Hoffman, who passed for 97 yards and another TD.

Alex Miller and Blake Gerow had interceptions for the Dragons.

Lake Fenton senior Bryce Fogle (2) scored a touchdown in the Blue Devils' 58-6 win over Pinckney. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)

Lake Fenton 58, Pinckney 6

Carsen Lewis completed 14 of 20 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns to lead Lake Fenton, which got 179 receiving yards and three TDs from Jett Husted. Sam Shumaker also had a touchdown catch and the Blue Devils got rushing TDs from Bryce Fogle and Camden Fray. Noah Hall and Gavin Taylor returning touchdowns for interceptions for Lake Fenton while Ashton Hunter kicked a 27-yard field goal to go with seven extra points.

New Lothrop's Jack Kulhanek had a hand in two TDs in a 34-20 victory over Muskegon Catholic. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)

New Lothrop 34, Muskegon Catholic 20

Jack Kulhanek completed 17 of 20 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown to lead New Lothrop. Kevin Unangst scored twice for the Hornets while Kulhanek and Rakeem Woods ran for New Lothrop touchdowns and Blake Bowns had a TD catch.

Montrose senior Zack O’Neal had a hand in three TDs during a season-opening victory over Riverview Gabriel Richard. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)

Montrose 27 Riverview Gabriel Richard 15

Zack O’Neal rushed 18 times for 189 yards and two touchdowns while completing 11 of 15 passes for 131 yards, another TD and two conversions to lead Montrose. Brandon Horton had six catches for 66 yards and one TD for Montrose, which had 392 total yards that included 261 rushing. The Rams held Richad to 221 total yards that included 142 passing.

Imlay City 48, Hazel Park 0

Matt Evans completed 4 of 6 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns for Imlay City, which got two TD catches from Travis DuPont and two rushing touchdowns from Tanner Land. Travis Tramontana and Brady Redd also rushed for Imlay City TDs and Andrew Cezik had an interception return for a touchdown.

MORE:

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Flint-area scores for Week 1

Statewide scores for Week 1

Hamady rolls in opener after second-quarter explosion

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