The Eagles upended the Upper Peninsula’s representative, Pickford, 30-28 to win the Division 1 title in the MHSAA eight-player finals.

Led by quarterback Hunter Garza, Deckerville erased a 16-point halftime deficit to win its first state title in eight-player football since 2012.

“It’s so surreal,” Eagles head coach Bill Brown said. “So just happy for our guys, these guys we worked it for. We got great support, great community…. I can’t even put a grasp (of) what’s happening right now, but all I know is, I’m happy for these guys.”

The championship matchup featured two past title winners, both unbeaten headed into the game. Deckerville’s physical play and adjustments proved to be key in the second half, ending Pickford’s perfect season in dramatic fashion.

Deckerville’s Parker Merriman, left, stiff-arms a Pickford defender as he earns a crucial first down in the fourth quarter that allowed the Eagles to run down almost all of the rest of the clock to clinch its first state title in a dozen years during the MHSAA Division 1 eight-player football championship game played at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Saturday. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

The Panthers came out firing behind quarterback Tommy Storey, who dominated the first quarter with explosive runs. Pickford opened the scoring with a 44-yard touchdown run by Storey, followed by Gunner Bennin converting the 2-point conversion to go up 8-0.

Storey struck again moments later with another long touchdown run, giving Pickford a 16-0 lead midway through the first quarter. Deckerville’s offense struggled early, with a pair of punts after some missed passes.

But the Eagles found their rhythm late in the opening period. Garza connected with Logan Shanks to move the ball deep into Pickford territory, eventually setting up Garza’s 2-yard rushing touchdown early in the second. A successful 2-point conversion cut the Lower Peninsula team’s deficit to 16-8.

Pickford responded immediately, with Storey running for a 55-yard TD. Deckerville clawed back as Garza led a 50-yard drive capped by a touchdown pass to Shanks, bringing the Eagles within six. But Storey added a third scoring run before halftime, sending Pickford into its locker room with a 28-16 advantage.

The Eagles returned from halftime with a renewed focus, starting with their defense. Adjustments in the secondary and along the edge limited Storey’s big plays, forcing the Panthers that took a lot more plays to move the ball.

Deckerville’s offense also came alive in the third quarter, with Garza leading a 71-yard drive. The Eagles converted multiple fourth downs, including a key 9-yard scramble by Garza, who capped the possession with a 2-yard TD. Kicker Mark Donker added the extra point to bring the Eagles within five, 28-23.

On the ensuing possession for Pickford, Deckerville’s defense delivered a critical stop, forcing a turnover on downs near midfield. With momentum shifting, Garza scrambled for what appeared to be a go-ahead touchdown, only to have it called back by a holding penalty.

But the determined Eagles took their first lead early in the final quarter when Garza connected with Brandon Salowitz for a 15-yard TD pass. Donker’s extra point made it 30-28, as Deckerville’s fans erupted in the stands.

Pickford had opportunities to respond, but the Eagles’ defense held firm. The Panthers pinned Deckerville at their own 1-yard line with a perfectly placed punt, but the Eagles mounted what Brown called “The Drive.” Garza and his offensive line orchestrated a clock-draining possession that spanned over four minutes, forcing Pickford to burn their timeouts.

Pickford regained the ball in the final minute but couldn’t muster a game-winning drive. A pass breakup on fourth down sealed the victory, and the Eagles celebrated their dramatic comeback.

“It was a dream come true,” said Garza, who accounted for all six of Deckerville’s touchdowns. “I’ve dreamed about this since I was a little kid.”

“We had lot of great plays from a lot of players, but we’re a team, and that’s the way they’ve been built to be a state champion,” Brown said.

Caden Sierra can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 551, or by email at csierra@nmu.edu.