State Finals Countdown Day 4: A True Home Game for Brother Rice Football

Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice has reached the state finals for the first time since 2005, and what a memorable season it's been. Every day leading up to Friday's 1 p.m. match-up against Lowell, Patch will take a peek back at a key moment during season that helped get the Warriors to where they are today.

Yesterday we featured the season-opening 28-21 win against Detroit Martin Luther King in the Big Day Prep Showdown.

Today's pick: The on Sept. 18. Due to seating and parking constraints, Brother Rice usually plays their home games elsewhere. But this team got the chance to play before thousands of fans in overflowing bleachers and rows of folding chairs at the first varsity game played on Fracassa Field.

Big play: This back-and-forth contest ended with special teams for Brother Rice. Not only did the Warriors miss a 43-yard game winning field goal at the end of regulation, but a missed extra point on a bad snap after their first score in overtime gave De La Salle an opportunity to escape with a win. The Pilots took full advantage, scoring a quick touchdown and nailing the extra point on their overtime possession.

The impact: Both long-time rival schools entered the contest undefeated, and the heartbreaking loss gave Brother Rice its first taste of disappointment in what otherwise was a successful and historically significant moment for the program. The Warriors responded by thrashing Detroit U of D Jesuit 42-7 the following week.

Want to join the fun? Share your thoughts and memories of the season's key moments by adding a comment below or sending them to Art.Aisner@patch.com.