DETROIT - In a game that saw its defensive secondary give up 334 yards passing, it was a defensive play that won the game for Detroit King, 45-37 over Detroit East English Village Prep. The win was King's sixth straight over EEVP.

With EEVP trailing by eight with 1:07 to go in the game, King standout defensive back Ambry Thomas stepped in front of a Delvin Washington pass and intercepted, taking it 30 yards for a touchdown and sealing the deal for King.

"I knew where they were going," Thomas said. "I manned-up on No.15 (Denzel Armstrong for EEVP), and once I saw him break-out, I cut underneath it and intercepted the ball."

Fellow King senior Christian Chatman intercepted a pass prior to Thomas', and junior Jaeveyon Morton had one to officially end the game, but the passing game is what kept EEVP around all game. Washington had those three errors, but he was spectacular all game, going 15-31 for 310 yards and four touchdowns. King head coach Tyrone Spencer was pleased with the win, but not with the play of his secondary. King gave up just two passing touchdowns all year to teams, and allowed twice that today.

"Our defensive backs did not play discipline today," he said. "We have Division I guys out here, and they have to play way better than that. It's unacceptable. We have to find a way to wake up earlier than that. That's just not going to get it."

King (6-1) had a chance to separate from EEVP (4-3) when quarterback DeQuan Finn scored on a 3-yard keeper to make it 33-25 with 11:45 left in the game. But EEVP would not go away. Washington completed a pass to freshman wide receiver Nimeo Whatley, who caught the ball in traffic, broke two tackles, and scored from 59 yards out to pull EEVP within two at 33-31. EEVP then found more success in the air on its next possession, when Washington found Zhamaine March leaking out the backfield for a 24-yard touchdown, taking a 37-33 lead over King.

Washington had his receivers had been torching King's cornerbacks all game. EEVP senior Sam Womack had a career day, catching 11 balls for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Thomas, who is one of the top cornerbacks in the nation was even beat for a touchdown, and he was the first to admit that they had to get better quick.

"Our secondary got exposed today," he said. "We were in position for most of those balls, but their receivers made better plays on the ball than we did. We are better than that, and we will play better like we were before."

King's cornerbacks may not have played up to par as far as defending the pass goes, but they did make plays elsewhere. Morton had a 69-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the first quarter to get King on the board, and Thomas also had a 65-yarf kickoff return for a score that gave King a 27-25 lead with 6:55 to go in the third.

Finn did not have his best game in the air, only completing three passes, but he did do damage on the ground, rushing for two scores, and also threw for one.

"We didn't want to do too much with him today," said Spencer. "We just wanted to make sure that he had some success, which I think he did. We still had shots and opportunities out here on the field that he didn't see, but that's the pains that you have with a young quarterback. He has to get better."

All of EEVP's losses against King over the years have all been close, where the Bulldogs had a chance to win the game. They had their chances again today against King, but could not capitalize, whether it was on offense or defense. The defeat stung to head coach Rod Oden, who felt like he put his players in a position to win.

"I thought we were in control with about four minutes to go," he said. "We had a lead, and you have to close people out. More frustrating than the interception for a touchdown that ended the game, was the last drive of runs plays that. We have to build on this."

Both teams turn to the city playoffs next, where there is a possibility that they might play each other again for a second straight week. If that happens, it will not be the last possible matchup for the two either. They could also meet up in the state playoffs during districts.