Division 1 Semifinal Game Report: Cass Tech vs Rochester Adams
By Donovan Fann
Saturday afternoon set the perfect scene for playoff football. Mid-40s, sunshine, packed stands, tailgaters grilling early — Troy Athens High School was the place to be for one of the most anticipated Division 1 semifinal matchups of the season: Cass Tech (12–0) vs Rochester Adams (10–2).
The energy felt like Ford Field. The stakes felt even bigger.
1st Quarter — Cass Tech Survives Early Chaos
Rochester Adams received the opening kickoff and moved confidently — until a fumble turned the ball over to the Cass Tech defense, giving the Technicians early momentum.
Cass Tech’s offense went to work behind ’27 RB De’Mari Hendrix and ’28 RB/MLB Julian Taylor, quickly driving into scoring position. Hendrix found the end zone on a powerful run, but a holding penalty erased the touchdown. On the next play, ’26 WR/CB/S Will Sykes Jr. scored — only for another flag to wipe it out.
Cass faced 4th & 7 from the 10.
With pressure closing in, ’28 QB Donald Tabron II tried to hit ’26 WR/QB/CB CJ Sadler in the corner, but the pass fell incomplete.
Adams took over, but short gains and a bad snap stalled the drive. The Highlanders punted — a shank — giving Cass Tech the ball at the Adams 16-yard line.
This time, the Technicians finished.
Julian Taylor punched in the game’s first official touchdown, putting Cass up 7–0.
Adams responded immediately. Thanks to the earlier unsportsmanlike penalty on Cass, the Highlanders started with great field position. ’26 QB Ryland Watters hit ’26 WR/S Cam Dawood on a huge gain to the Cass Tech 5. But the Technicians’ defense was ready — ’27 DT Martez Livingston blew up the next play, ending the quarter with Cass Tech leading 7–0.
2nd Quarter — Adams Punches Back, But Cass Responds Fast
Adams faced 4th down inside the 10 and decided to go for it. Under pressure, Watters rolled right and found ’26 WR/RB/OLB Matt Toeppner for the touchdown. The Highlanders went for two and converted, taking the 8–7 lead with 11 minutes left in the half.
They made one mistake — they kicked it to CJ Sadler Jr.
Sadler took the kickoff from the 26-yard line and exploded deep into Adams territory. A few plays later, Julian Taylor scored again, putting Cass Tech back in front 14–8.
Adams fought back downfield, but Cass’ defense tightened. Watters’ physical frame (6’2, 220 lbs) created problems, but not enough for a sustained drive.
With under a minute left in the half, Cass Tech pushed one more time. A quick strike from Tabron to Sadler Jr. extended the lead to 20–8, and the Technicians went into halftime holding control.
3rd Quarter — Cass Tech Dominates the Momentum
Adams opened the second half with a surprise — an onside kick, and they recovered it.
But Cass Tech’s defense stood tall. The Highlanders turned it over on downs, missing their chance to swing momentum.
Cass Tech didn’t miss theirs.
A deep connection to Sadler Jr. and another punishing touchdown run by Julian Taylor pushed the lead to 28–8 with under seven minutes left in the third.
Adams wasn’t done. The Highlanders marched down the field with more QB keeps and a key short-yardage pass to Toeppner to extend the drive. Facing 4th and goal from the 9, Watters kept the ball and fought through defenders for the touchdown, making it 28–15.
The comeback spark lit — but Cass Tech had answers coming.
4th Quarter — The Technicians Take Over
Cass Tech opened the fourth quarter near the Adams goal line but fumbled, recovered by ’26 CB/WR Connor Helferich. Adams had life.
But on the next drive, Watters’ pass was intercepted by — who else — CJ Sadler Jr., flipping momentum right back to Cass Tech.
One play later, Julian Taylor scored again, pushing the lead to 35–15.
After another Adams turnover on downs, Cass Tech struck again — this time ’27 RB De’Mari Hendrix scored on a powerful run, extending the lead to 42–15.
Adams made one more push as Watters hit Toeppner for a late touchdown, narrowing the gap to 42–22, but it wasn’t enough.
Adams attempted another onside kick, but this time Cass recovered. And fittingly, Julian Taylor added one more touchdown — his fifth of the day — sealing the game.
Final: Cass Tech 48, Rochester Adams 22.
Tabron II took the final knee.
Cass Tech is heading back to Ford Field.
Cass Tech’s Road Continues — A Championship Rematch
The Technicians advance to the MHSAA Division 1 State Championship where they will face Detroit Catholic Central on Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM inside Ford Field.
Both teams are undefeated.
Both teams are loaded.
Both are playing their best football of the season.
A perfect-record showdown awaits.
Rochester Adams — A Tough Ending for a Proud Program
For Adams, this semifinal heartbreak is all too familiar — they fell in the same round to Hudsonville last season.
But the Highlanders’ fanbase showed out, packing the stands and supporting their team until the final whistle. Many seniors walked off the field emotional, knowing this could be the last game of their football careers. They battled. They believed. They left everything on the field.
Rochester Adams once again proved they belong among Division 1’s elite programs.
