Cass Tech Rallies Past Detroit King 20–7 Behind Julian Taylor, Dominant Defense
DETROIT — For one half, Detroit King had Cass Tech exactly where it wanted them.
Then the Technicians took over.
Cass Tech erased a seven-point halftime deficit and scored 20 unanswered points Friday night to defeat rival Detroit King, 20–7, in one of the most anticipated high school football games in Michigan this season. The victory moves Cass Tech to 5–0, while King falls to 4–1 with its first loss of the year.
And when Cass Tech needed someone to break the game open, Julian Taylor delivered.
King controls the first half
Neither offense found the end zone during the opening quarter, and King repeatedly came up with defensive stops when Cass Tech threatened.
The Crusaders finally broke through in the second quarter when quarterback Darryl Flemister III connected with De’Andre Williams for a 17-yard touchdown, giving King a 7–0 advantage. Cass Tech had opportunities to answer but couldn’t convert, sending King into halftime with the lead.
The game changed almost immediately after the break.
Cass Tech wakes up
King fumbled on its opening possession of the third quarter, giving Cass Tech the ball at the King 35.
Quarterback Donald Tabron II eventually found a wide-open Bryce Graham in the end zone on third-and-goal, tying the game at 7–7 with 7:45 remaining in the third quarter.
From there, the Technicians’ defense continued frustrating King while Cass Tech waited for its opportunity to strike.
It came in the fourth quarter.
Julian Taylor takes over
With 6:56 remaining, Taylor took a handoff, broke into the open field, stiff-armed a defender and raced 47 yards down the right sideline for the touchdown.
The extra point was missed, but Cass Tech had its first lead of the night, 13–7.
King still had an opportunity to answer, but Flemister suffered a shoulder injury late in the fourth quarter and left the game. Sophomore Amir Forris entered at quarterback, and Cass Tech’s defense immediately capitalized.
Peyton Robinson intercepted Forris on fourth down, returning the ball deep into King territory. Taylor finished the job moments later, breaking tackles on a seven-yard touchdown run with 1:46 remaining to put Cass Tech ahead 20–7.
Taylor wasn’t finished contributing defensively, either. Earlier in the game he recorded a third-quarter sack as Cass Tech’s defense continued to shut down the Crusaders.
Five takeaways tell the story
For all of Taylor’s fourth-quarter fireworks, Cass Tech’s defense may have been the biggest difference.
The Technicians finished with five takeaways, repeatedly preventing King from building on its early lead. Mylan Griggs added another interception in the closing moments, officially putting the rivalry game away.
King entered Friday averaging 41.5 points per game through its first four contests. Cass Tech held the Crusaders to seven.
That’s a statement.
Cass Tech remains perfect
Friday’s victory continues an impressive start for a Cass Tech program coming off consecutive appearances in the Division 1 state championship game. The Technicians have opened 2026 with victories over Michigan City, Grandville, Southeastern, Mumford and now King.
Cass Tech will return home next Friday against Western International, while King travels to East English Village Prep.
But after a week dominated by anticipation, ticket restrictions and hype surrounding one of Detroit’s biggest rivalries, Friday belonged to the Technicians.
King led 7–0 at halftime.
Cass Tech answered with 20 straight.
And Julian Taylor delivered when the game mattered most.
FINAL: Cass Tech 20, Detroit King 7.
