Top five King/Cass Tech games of the last ten years

It is arguably the best rivalry in the state, depending on who you ask. In recent years, Detroit King versus Detroit Cass Tech has become a must-see game, for fans, media, and even college recruiters. Every year, it seems both teams boast double-digit college prospects on their respective teams, making for a great game. The two teams play this Saturday, and have had some classics in the past. We take a look at the top five games of the last ten years.

Both teams entered the game 4-0 on the year, in what was a highly-anticipated game between the two rivals. They did not disappoint. Cass Tech jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but King was able to come back and tie things at 14-14 at halftime. The teams traded scores back and forth in the second half, with Cass Tech scoring the final touchdown to send the game in overtime tied at 28-28. Cass Tech failed to score on its first possession, allowing King's Anwar Miah to kick an 18-yard field goal to win the game.

This game was the last time King played Cass Tech at their place, losing 20-18. The game was a muddy one, but both teams were able to move the ball on offense, hence the 13-12 Cass Tech lead at just one quarter. The Technicians scored all of their points in the first half. The two teams went scoreless in the third, and in the fourth, King's Dennis Norfleet intercepted Cass Tech quarterback Jayru Campbell to make it 20-18. King went for two, but Norfleet's pass was picked off by Cass Tech safety Brandon Berry.

King was not supposed to beat Cass Tech, the defending Division I state champs, the way they did in the city playoffs this year. The field at Northwestern High School was packed with fans to see this beat down. The two teams refused to shakes hands during the coin toss, signifying how serious this rivalry was. King jumped out to an early 6-0 lead on an 80-yard bomb from Da'Vaun Williams to Jalen Embry. King went up 12-0 early, but Cass Tech scored 13 unanswered to take the lead. That was all they would get. King responded with 12 unanswered of its own to take a 24-13 lead at the half. King scored more in the second half, with a big games from Williams, who tossed four touchdowns, and Embry who intercepted two passes.

The build-up to this game might have been just as exciting as the game. Due to a team fight the previous week, King was forced to forfeit the city title game against Cass Tech, and the Technicians were rewarded the title. King protested the results, won its case, and the game was back on. Just like in the first game earlier in the season, both teams traded scores. The big-play was un full effect this game, with Cass Tech's Donovan Peoples-Jones scoring on a 49-yard punt return for a touchdown, then Donovan Johnson taking a kickoff 81 yards to the house. King had big plays of its own, with Armani Posey hitting LaVert Hill on an 85-yard pass and catch. Cass Tech took a 25-21 lead over King in the 4th, but a short touchdown run by Kevin Willis put the Crusaders ahead for good 27-25. It was the first time King had beaten Cass Tech twice in a season since 2001.

The first meeting between the two earlier that season saw both teams combine for 44 points. Somehow, the two were only able to score a combined 13 points, with Cass Tech beating King 7-6 in the first round of the playoffs. The weather might have had something to do with the outcome, but it was an impressive defensive effort from both teams, especially with what was at stake.