#3 Fenton earns historic victory over #9 Linden in Division 3

Tension was high last night as The D Zone's #3 ranked Fenton Tigers in Division 3 took on the #9 ranked Linden Eagles. In front of a capacity crowd, both teams honored the military and first responders during Fenton's annual Wounded Warriors game on what was billed, "Heroes Night." Players from both teams wore special jerseys with names of veterans or first responders on their jerseys.

While most critics and pundits expected a tight affair, the game turned out to be anything but close game as Fenton was able to turn 4 first half Linden turnovers into a 48-13 historic rout over the Eagles. The victory was the largest margin over their arch rival in the last 67 years and one they felt was a "statement game" as they continue to garner more and more attention as a team to be reckoned with in Division's 2/3.

The Tigers came out in hurry and forced three Linden turnovers to build up a first quarter 21-7 lead and built it up to a 35-7 lead at the half. After halftime, with 2:55 to go in the 3rd qtr, Fenton scored again with 2 yd plunge by 2019 Lance Mercord which created a running clock for the rest of the game.

Fenton's 2018 QB Josh Czarnota was spectacular and efficient on the night completing 10 of 16 passes for 221 yards and 3 touchdowns while also rushing for another 108 yards on 15 carries adding another two touchdowns on the ground. His effort was highlighted by a 1st qtr 66 yd run in which he shed three tacklers near the line of scrimmage and then out ran the defense to the end zone. The play was chosen as WNEM's Play of the Night for the Tri-City area. That's 329 yards of total offense for Fenton's QB on the night. Czarnota also had one INT on defense.

His favorite target, 2018 Chanse Setzke, hauled in another 6 receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Setzke also had a "pick 6" to seal the deal for the Tigers.

2018 RB Spencer Rivera, 2018 RB Josh Maher and 2019 RB Lance Mercord were lethal in the ground attack and coming out of the backfield to help keep moving the chains for the Fenton offense.

On defense, Maher had TWO early picks which set the tone for the game and the Tigers defense. 2018 DT Devin Fuller helped lead a defensive line which put pressure on Linden all night forcing 5 INT's by Linden's senior quarterback. 2018 ILB Grady Sondgeroth helped police the middle and registered the most tackles on the night. Freshman DE 2021 Austin Henard also a big game with 3 QB hurries and 1 sack.

Fenton will travel to play Clio in Flint Metro League play next week and then will face Holly and Flushing the following two weeks to help decide the Champion of the conference. Fenton will finish the season, in what is sure to be a statewide matchup, traveling to play the Waterford Mott Crusaders in Week 9. Mott upset Walled Lake Western last night 47-37 last night registering 582 yards of total offense.