By David Fleet

Editor

Two seconds.

That’s how much time was on the game clock when Brandon kicker Zach Clements hit the game-winning 37-yard field goal propelling the Blackhawks to a 11-10 victory over the Martians on Aug. 27, 2015. The Blackhawks win was the first since 1986 and narrowed the overall series 30-12 in favor of Goodrich.

The Goodrich-Brandon battle for M-15 reignites at 7 p.m., Aug. 25 at Roy U. Stacey Athletic Complex.

“The Blackhawks are going to be formidable opponents on Thursday night,” said Martian Head Coach Tom Alward, now in his 25th season in Goodrich with an overall record of 139-92. “We are going to have to take care of our own. Last year we we caused our own problems in the game—if we could have taken care of our own business, perhaps the outcome would have been different.. Everything is new for Brandon this year and we need to take care of what we can do. I like our chances. We don’t have to get our team excited to play Brandon the players have already been talking—we do have to execute.”

First year coach Brad Zube will lead his Blackhawks into Goodrich.

“I’ve coached in plenty of rivalry of games before,” said Zube, with a 30-26 record in six years of coaching. “I have a lot of respect for our opponent—we’ll see what our players can do. This is what football is all about. I’ve never coached against Alward before, but I have the utmost respect for the Martian team and look forward to being part of the rivalry game.”

According to the Michigan High School Historical Game-by-Game results, the Brandon-Goodrich rivalry dates back to 1952 and continued until 1992. Following last year’s victory, Goodrich still leads the series 30-11. Prior to 2015, the last Brandon win was in 1986, by a score of 34-8.

Brandon Township resident Cliff Filhart, 79, played guard and quarterback for Ortonville from 1952-1954. The team was coached by Burl Glendening.

“We had leather helmets and no face masks,” said Filhart. “It was pretty nippy outside when we played Goodrich. We had to play on both sides of the ball, we really did not have enough players. Honestly, if we beat Goodrich, the heck with the rest of the games—that’s all that mattered. I did not know any of the Goodrich players—I was a farm boy from Brandon. Still it was my favorite game.”

As quarterback, Filhart and his team defeated Goodrich 20-0 on Sept. 17, 1954.

“I was proud of my team,” he said. “We were a tough bunch.”

Filhart, served in Korea as part of the Marine Corps after graduation from Brandon. He still lives in Brandon Township.

For the past year the Blackhawks have kept the Milk Can Cup, the trophy awarded to the winner of the rivalry. The can was donated by Brandon Township’s Cook’s Farm Dairy and is a symbol of both communities’ rich farming tradition. Each year the score and date are etched on the cup, with the winning team keeping the cup until the next meeting.

The Blackhawks-Martians game returned in 2014 after more than 20 years when Lapeer East and West combined to form one school, exiting the Flint Metro League, where Brandon plays. The eight school league was reduced to six teams, thus two open games are on the schedule for Brandon. Don Watchowski, former athletic director for the Brandon School District, and Goodrich Athletic Director David Davis worked to rekindle the game.

The Martians dominated the Blackhawks in 2014, winning 33-7.

“This is going to be a grudge match and it will go down to the wire,” said Matt Outlaw, Brandon school district superintendent. “I can’t wait to see Brandon’s new look and enjoy a great night of rivalry football.”

Goodrich Superintendent Michelle Imbrunone is ready for the game at Goodrich.

“The Battle for M-15…now it’s on us,” she said. “While the Martians may be young, they play to win and I would expect this to be very competitive.”