Fracassa, Brother Rice Clinch Third Straight State Title

The Brother Rice Warriors claimed their third consecutive Division 2 state title in football Friday and sent their legendary head coach off into retirement in memorable fashion. 

The Warriors' 38-21 victory over Muskegon Friday afternoon at Ford Field in Detroit was the ninth in Al Fracassa's lengthy career, which formally ended with the final whistle. The rematch of last year's closely-contested finale against the Big Reds started out close with both teams tied 14-14 after one quarter. But the Warriors took over and dominated the field position and score for practically the remainder of the game. Muskegon scored a toucdown late in the fourth quarter on an 86-yard pass play to close the gap a bit, but didn't threaten the lead or storybook ending.

The MHSAA football finals are here, and the 

"It's been a great season, I'm really happy for the kids," Fracassa told Fox Sports Detroit immediately following the game. "They did a great job and I really hope they won it for them instead of for me, and I think that they did."
"It's just a beautiful career and I'm really happy how it ended." 

Fracassa ends his 54-year career as the winningest high school coach in the history of Michigan football.

Quarterback Alex Malzone finished 20-24 for 263 yards and four touchdown scores. He also ran one in for a score. Senior Jason Alessi also continued to show his knack for clutch plays by tying the MHSAA record for field goals in a single season (16).

Do you have a special memory of Al Fracassa or a message to help send off legendary coach into retirement? Tell us in the comments.