Detroit Cass Tech’s Teone Allen jumps into the end zone for a touchdown against Novi Detroit Catholic Central Saturday at Ford Field.
Teone Allen is often overshadowed by Rodney Hall, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Donovan Johnson, and Jaylen Kelly-Powell on the Detroit Cass Tech football team.
But it was Allen with a big day Saturday against Novi Detroit Catholic Central in the Technicians’ 49-20 Division 1 win at Ford Field.
The 5-foot-7, 170-pound junior slot receiver caught two TD passes in the first half, a 33-yard laser from Hall and a 20-yard pass that tied the score after the Shamrocks had gained momentum with an interception return for a touchdown by Jack Morris.
“We just knew we had to pass on them because they had a big, strong offensive line,” said Cass coach Thomas Wilcher. “They play the run real good. We had to take advantage of what we could.”
Allen finished with three catches for 60 yards.
“It took him awhile to get involved in our program because he was hurt last year,” said Wilcher. “We were patient with him and waited for him to evolve. We knew he could do it.
“We have some pretty good players and just wanted to make sure we spread it around and get everybody involved. It’s a read offense — whatever you read, whatever you see, that’s what we go with.”
Peoples-Jones said Allen will be a star next year.
“We have so many great athletes on this Cass Tech football team,” said Peoples-Jones. “He’ll definitely be a dominant player next year. You can see. … He’s definitely a factor.”
After Allen starred in the first half, Peoples-Jones took over in the second with three catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns (13 and 49 yards). He finished with six catches for 118 yards.
“When we lost to Romeo last year (in the state final), it was the worst feeling in the world,” said Peoples-Jones. “We didn’t want to feel that again. All my teammates had a clear mind-set and we came out here and got the job done.”
■College choices: Michigan and Michigan State haven’t shown a lot of love to Johnson, but the senior running back/defensive back shined with 89 yards on six carries in the championship game, scoring two touchdowns while averaging 14.8 yards per carry. His 60-yard TD burst was electric.
“I’m not here to say why they (MSU and U-M) haven’t, but I am here to say he’s one of the best athletes in the nation,” said Peoples-Jones. “I’ve been to many camps, faced many great defensive backs, and he’s up there with the top. He runs a 4.35 (40-yard dash). It’s hard to run by him. He’s very physical. He’s very smart. He’s very athletic.”
Peoples-Jones said he’d announce his college choice on his twitter account.
“I’m just preparing for college,” he said. “I’ll graduate early. I’ll make my decision within the next month. I think I do have an official (visit). I’ll announce it on my twitter once it’s confirmed.”
■PSL rolling: With Detroit King defending its Division 2 title and Cass Tech claiming the Div. 1 crown, the Detroit Public School League has three state titles in two years.
“We have great coaches and great players in the PSL,” said Wilcher. “A kid doesn’t have to travel 20 miles out of town to find a good program. They can travel 20 miles to Detroit to find good coaching. I think people need to realize that.”
Contact Perry A. Farrell: 313-222-2555 or pafarrell@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @farrellperry.