Brother Rice Opens 2026 Season With 30–20 Win Over Macomb Dakota

Brandon Davison and Brock Zehnder powered the Warriors offensively as Brother Rice built an early lead and held off a second-half Dakota push.

By Caleb Bushell | DVS Lead Reporter

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Brother Rice opened the 2026 high school football season with a statement Friday night, using a physical rushing attack, timely passes and key defensive stops to defeat Macomb Dakota 30–20 at Blue Devils Stadium on the campus of Lawrence Technological University.

The Warriors established control early behind their ground game and carried a 24–7 lead into halftime.

Running back Brandon Davison opened the scoring with a rushing touchdown, while wide receiver Brock Zehnder became one of the biggest difference-makers of the first half, finding the end zone twice to help Brother Rice create separation.

Dakota struggled to consistently establish its running game against a Brother Rice defense that repeatedly came up with stops when needed.

The Cougars found a spark after halftime.

A tipped Brother Rice pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown in the third quarter, giving Dakota life and cutting into what had been a commanding Warriors advantage.

Brother Rice, however, didn’t allow the momentum swing to turn into a comeback.

Davison struck again in the fourth quarter, scoring his second rushing touchdown of the night and extending the Warriors’ advantage.

Brother Rice also received important contributions elsewhere. Cameron Madison picked up a key first down on the ground, while Braden Hong broke up a pass as the Warriors’ defense continued to make life difficult for Dakota’s offense.

Dakota made one final push when Jeremiah Aaron turned a screen pass into a fourth-quarter touchdown, bringing the Cougars within 10 at 30–20.

That would be as close as Dakota got.

With the lead in hand, Brother Rice went back to what had worked throughout the night — Davison and the rushing attack. The Warriors controlled possession, drained valuable time off the clock and prevented Dakota from getting another opportunity to make it a one-score game.

Zehnder’s two touchdowns, Davison’s two scores on the ground and a defense that consistently delivered in key situations ultimately proved to be the difference.

For Brother Rice, the 30–20 victory provides an early test passed and a 1–0 start to the 2026 campaign.

For Dakota, the second-half response showed fight after falling into a sizable early hole, but the Cougars were unable to completely overcome Brother Rice’s first-half dominance.

Detroit Varsity Sports will continue its Week 1 coverage throughout the weekend with highlights, interviews and more from around Metro Detroit.