Harper Woods Pulls Away From Groves, 41–13, After Tight First Half

By Brandon Johnson | DVS Reporter

BEVERLY HILLS — For nearly two quarters, Birmingham Groves went toe-to-toe with Harper Woods. By the second half, the Pioneers had taken control.

Harper Woods turned a six-point halftime advantage into a 41–13 road victory over Groves, using a productive rushing attack and several explosive plays to break open a game that had been competitive early.

The Pioneers wasted little time establishing their approach.

Harper Woods returned the opening kickoff near midfield before immediately going to the ground. Runs by No. 25 helped move the offense downfield before No. 11 finished the opening possession with a rushing touchdown, giving Harper Woods a 7–0 advantage.

Groves responded with one of its best drives of the night.

The Falcons methodically moved downfield behind No. 23, while quarterback No. 10 contributed with his legs and through the air. A screen and swing pass helped keep the possession moving before No. 23 eventually scored on the ground early in the second quarter.

The extra point tied the game at 7–7.

Harper Woods Answers

The tie didn’t last long.

Harper Woods responded on its next possession, with No. 1 becoming a major factor in the passing game. After several productive runs moved the Pioneers into scoring territory, the Harper Woods quarterback lofted a fade toward the sideline.

No. 1 came down with a toe-tapping touchdown reception, putting Harper Woods back in front. A mishandled extra-point attempt hit the upright, leaving the Pioneers ahead 13–7.

Groves continued to move the football and leaned heavily on No. 23, but the Falcons couldn’t turn another lengthy possession into points.

Harper Woods had an opportunity to extend the lead before halftime, but Groves’ defense responded. After the Pioneers were backed up by a penalty, the Falcons forced a third-and-long and followed with a sack.

The home crowd came alive as Groves kept the deficit at six.

Harper Woods entered halftime leading 13–7, but the game was far from decided.

Pioneers Take Control After Halftime

Groves received the second-half kickoff but couldn’t capitalize on its opening possession, eventually punting the ball back to Harper Woods.

That’s when the Pioneers began creating separation.

Harper Woods leaned on No. 4, who produced several successful runs and later hauled in a big completion to extend the drive.

The possession ended with another touchdown by No. 1, and Harper Woods converted the two-point attempt to push its advantage to 21–7 with 5:11 remaining in the third quarter.

Groves attempted to respond, but the Harper Woods defense kept the Falcons out of the end zone.

The Pioneers struck again before the quarter ended.

After moving the ball downfield, No. 4 took a handoff up the middle, broke toward the sideline and raced for a long touchdown, extending the Harper Woods advantage to 28–7.

In a matter of minutes, what had been a six-point game at halftime had become a three-score advantage.

Harper Woods Finishes the Job

Groves continued battling and created a scoring opportunity late in the third quarter when No. 5 hauled in a deep pass near the Harper Woods 2-yard line.

The Pioneers’ defense stiffened, however, and Groves eventually had a field-goal attempt blocked.

Harper Woods continued adding to its lead in the fourth quarter, including a screen pass to No. 1 that resulted in the Pioneers’ final touchdown.

Groves eventually found the end zone for its second touchdown of the night, but by then Harper Woods had created too much separation.

The Pioneers closed out the 41–13 victory.

A Different Game After Halftime

The final score doesn’t completely capture how competitive the first half was.

Groves answered Harper Woods’ opening touchdown with a long scoring drive, kept the Pioneers within six points at halftime and generated enough defensive pressure to keep the home crowd involved.

But Harper Woods’ playmakers changed the game after the break.

The Pioneers scored twice in the third quarter to turn a 13–7 halftime lead into a 28–7 advantage, and Groves never recovered.

Harper Woods improved to 4–1 with the victory and continued its strong response after dropping its season opener.

FINAL: Harper Woods 41, Birmingham Groves 13