Groves comeback win over Seaholm has the Falcons peaking at the right time (Story by: Terry Foster)

For more than a year Birmingham Groves running back Damonte McCurdy tried to convince his buddy Joel Mitchell to take a walk on the wild side and leave bitter rival Birmingham Seaholm and play by his side at Groves.

He wanted to play side by side with a talented player and he wanted to share the joy of beating Seaholm with his pal. The buddies finally celebrated together after the Battle for Birmingham as teammates following Groves (7-2) 26-9 victory over Seaholm (7-2) in misty and chilly conditions at Groves High School during a military appreciation game.

McCurdy made sure there was something to celebrate after rushing for touchdowns of 70, 31 and 15 yards as the Falcons whipped the Maples for the seventh straight time and handed Coach Brendan Flaherty his 100th career win.

“I am floored,” Flaherty said. “I didn’t know I was close. I didn’t know where I was but it means a lot coming against these guys, no doubt.”

The game could be a preview of the opening round of the state playoffs. We won’t find out until Sunday’s high school selection show which begins at 7 pm.

Groves’ coaches told players that a new season begins and they feel this team has a shot at advancing to Ford Field for the Division II championship game.

“I think we are beginning to peak,” said Flaherty. “I know we looked silly in the first half. We kind of reinvented ourselves in the off season with constant improvement with tougher competition with intestinal fortitude where we could peak at the end of the season rather than in other seasons where we didn’t. I like where we are standing right now. I like where we are going heading into the tournament now.”

Seaholm led 9-6 at the half but could not overcome the big plays of Groves. In addition to McCurdy’s big plays Khalil “Thrill” Dawsey smoked Seaholm on a 63 yard touchdown run. Seaholm moved the ball effectively for much of the game and was aided by untimely penalties and mistakes by Groves which kept drives alive.

Chase Mentag bulled over from the 2 yard line for Seaholm and kicker Justin Klotz booted a 27 yard field goal.

Groves and Seaholm are rivals and it is the most important game of the year for both teams. But these games lack the bitterness of Michigan-Michigan State. Seaholm fans might gloat over burgers at Hunter House regarding a 10-game winning streak a couple of decades ago. And Groves folks may counter with this recent seven game streak.

But there is little fighting or back stabbing. It’s not the Civil War but the more civil war.

Groves hasn’t lost since dropping its first two games of the season – a nine point decision to West Bloomfield and a six-point loss to Oak Park. The Falcons also picked up a big win over power Farmington Hill Harrison, 25-6 a week ago.

McCurdy said the Falcons are sending a dangerous team to states.

“We are fast and we play with a lot of emotion,” he said.