A Second Chance at Glory: Detroit Denby Looks to Rewrite the Ending Against Central

DETROIT, Mich. — Eight days can make a difference in high school football.

For Detroit Denby, that's the time separating a frustrating regular-season defeat from an opportunity to compete for a city championship.

On October 8, the Tars saw their five-game winning streak come to an end in a 6–2 loss to Detroit Central.

It was a dramatic departure from the explosive offensive performances that had defined much of Denby's season.

Now, the Tars will get another opportunity against the Falcons when the programs meet Friday, October 16, at Ford Field for the Public School League Gold Division championship.

For Denby, the challenge is clear: find a way to unlock an offense that has been difficult for most opponents to contain.

An offense capable of making noise

Under head coach Zach Carr, Denby has demonstrated the ability to produce points in bunches.

The Tars scored 48 against Hamady, 46 against Communication Media Arts, 68 against Northwestern and 70 against Osborn.

Those performances helped establish Denby as one of the Gold Division's most dangerous offensive teams.

Against Northwestern, sophomore quarterback Espen Rushing threw for 271 yards and five touchdowns, while receiver Dorron Jennings accounted for four touchdowns.

Brandon Watkins Jr. added 119 rushing yards on 11 carries, and Malik Mobley contributed a defensive touchdown on an interception return.

The 68–0 victory showcased Denby's ability to generate explosive plays in multiple phases of the game.

The players behind the production

Denby's roster features several players capable of influencing Friday's championship matchup.

Rushing has emerged as an important part of the Tars' offensive attack, contributing through the air and on the ground.

Junior receiver Treveyon Bush provides another playmaking option, while Watkins gives Denby a rushing threat.

Defensively, Mobley and senior Josiah Floyd are among the players who can help create pressure and opportunities for the offense.

Together, they represent a group with the potential to produce a much different result than the first meeting against Central.

When the offense went quiet

Against Central, the Tars faced a defense that had consistently limited opponents throughout the season.

Denby managed just two points, its lowest scoring output of the year.

The Falcons' 6–2 victory illustrated how quickly an offensive rhythm can disappear against a disciplined opponent.

For a Denby team accustomed to moving the football and finding the end zone, the result provided a reminder that postseason-style games often require adjustments.

Friday's rematch will test whether the Tars can establish a more consistent offensive attack against a defense that already knows their personnel.

A championship opportunity

The Gold Division championship offers Denby a chance to transform disappointment into an accomplishment.

The Tars enter the matchup with a 5–2 record and an opportunity to secure a title against the very team that ended their winning streak.

But this game will require more than relying on the explosive plays that carried Denby through earlier contests.

The Tars must find ways to sustain drives, protect possession and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Against Central, every possession could matter.

A different ending

Friday's matchup will open the PSL championship doubleheader at Ford Field, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m.

For Denby, the opportunity represents a chance to demonstrate how much a team can learn from one difficult defeat.

The Tars have already shown they possess the offensive firepower to compete.

Now, they'll have an opportunity to prove they can deliver when the stakes are highest.

The first meeting belonged to Central. The championship is still up for grabs.

This article is part of Detroit Varsity Sports' Road to Ford Field series, highlighting the four programs competing in the 2026 PSL Football City Championships.