97.1 The Ticket -- Saturday's MHSAA Division 5 football state semifinal was marred by a post-game confrontation, after Detroit Denby's quest to reach its first state championship game in school history came to an end against Almont at Walled Lake Central High School.
With Almont leading the Tars 36-8, officials decided to call the game with around three minutes left, reportedly after Denby had racked up numerous personal fouls and the game had turned ugly. The Tars reportedly faced a 1st-and-55 at one point.
Denby (10-3) players reportedly refused to shake hands with Almont (13-0) after the game was called. As players left the field, a confrontation between Denby players and Almont fans broke out. Police officers that were already at the game intervened, and the Oakland County Sheriff's Office was called to the scene.
Brandon Folsom, a reporter for the Port Huron Times Herald, posted video of the altercation and reported Denby players took exception to behavior from fans and the Almont band, which was chanting "hard work."
— Brandon Folsom (@folsombrandonj) November 23, 2019Reaction to the video on social media indicates that players were subjected to racial slurs from Almont fans and that at least one Almont fan spit on or towards them.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office says no arrests were made, according to Folsom, but is still investigating the incident.
Almont will face Lansing Catholic (12-1) in the D-5 state championship Saturday at Ford Field.
