DETROIT (WOOD) — The Byron Center football team headed to Ford Field for the first time in school history with aspirations to bring back a state title.
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs fell just short in their quest after suffering a 35-19 loss to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in Friday night’s Division 2 Finals.
Byron Center ends the season with a program-best 12-2 record.
“It’s been a great ride and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Bulldogs senior quarterback Landon Tungate said. “I wish we could’ve come out of this game with a win, but it didn’t work out that way. I’m so happy to be a part of this team and I love all my guys and coaches.”
Kellen Payne opened the scoring with a 9-yard touchdown run to give Byron Center an early 7-0 lead.
After Orchard Lake St. Mary’s answered with a touchdown of its own, Cam Payne raced 56 yards for a score on fourth-down and one and it was 13-7 after a missed extra point.
After a failed fake punt by Byron Center in the second quarter, the Eaglets took their first lead of the game on a 12-yard run by Bryon Williams and led 14-13 at the half.
The Bulldogs turned the ball over to start the third quarter and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s took advantage with another rushing touchdown to make it 21-13.
“That fumble there to start the third quarter was tough to overcome,” Byron Center coach Marc Cisco said. “But I was proud of our effort.”
Byron Center trailed 28-13 late in the third quarter, but closed the gap to 28-19 on a 10-yard quarterback keeper by Tungate.
“This team is never going to quit,” Tungate said. “It wasn’t going our way, but we are all about fighting back. That’s what we do and that’s what we’ve been like all year. We are always going to give our best on both sides of the ball.”
Byron Center lost to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 35-19 in the Division 2 Finals. (Dean Holzwarth/WOOD TV8) 
Byron Center lost to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 35-19 in the Division 2 Finals. (Dean Holzwarth/WOOD TV8) 
Byron Center lost to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 35-19 in the Division 2 Finals. (Dean Holzwarth/WOOD TV8) 
Byron Center lost to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 35-19 in the Division 2 Finals. (Dean Holzwarth/WOOD TV8) 
Byron Center lost to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 35-19 in the Division 2 Finals. (Dean Holzwarth/WOOD TV8) 
Byron Center lost to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 35-19 in the Division 2 Finals. (Dean Holzwarth/WOOD TV8) 
Byron Center lost to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 35-19 in the Division 2 Finals. (Dean Holzwarth/WOOD TV8) 
Byron Center lost to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 35-19 in the Division 2 Finals. (Dean Holzwarth/WOOD TV8)
Cam Payne, a sophomore, rushed for 122 yards on eight carries, while Tungate had 16 carries for 90 yards.
“A great season,” Cam Payne said. “We made it to the state championship, so for me and the underclassmen this game is going to motivate us and keep us going.”