By David Fleet

Editor

Brandon Twp.-Head football coach Brad Zube and his Brandon Blackhawks are on the cusp of a record season

For starters, Friday’s (Oct. 7) 35-34 win on the road at Kearsley High School automatically qualified the Blackhawks for the MHSAA playoffs—only the sixth time since 1951. The win improved the Blackhawks to 6-1 on the season with just two games remaining that include a homecoming match with Clio and a game at Linden. If they win out—the Blackhawks could end up 8-1—joining only the 1997, 1996 and 1983 Blackhawks with one loss seasons. And more important for Zube, a possible home playoff game for the Blackhawks.

“It’s a collective effort,” said Zube. “Many have stepped up after we lost Kevin Bickett and Dustin Dickens early in the season. In our only loss to Fenton we had three chances to win that game. Honestly, it propelled that team to just keep on winning—they just don’t want to lose. We really don’t want to look too far down the road and we take it one game at a time.”

Zube, who became Blackhawks head coach in January, has playoff experience.

At Pontaic High School, Zube’s team made the playoffs in 2011, but suffered a first round post-season loss to Clarkston High School. In 2012, he took over as head coach at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester Hills. From 2012-2015, Zube had a record of 19-16 and a 2013 playoff first round loss to Rochester Adams.

In six years as head coach before leading the Blackhawks, Zube compiled a winning record of 30-26. That jumps to 36-27.

“When we started last January we had a blueprint and a process for this team,” said Zube. “The players bought into the program and now we are all on the same page. The hard work last summer will pay off now.”

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