Walters Comes Up Clutch in 4th Qtr.; Titans Win Record 4th Straight Football State Title

Ayden Gatewood (7) rushes for a 25-yard touchdown in the 1st quarter. Lumen Christi vs Kingsley, Photos by John Lucas Jr., JTV Sports.

David Rice | JTV Sports

Friday November 28th

(11-28-2025, 6:30PM): After winning his 100th playoff game and moving into 2nd place on the all-time wins list by winning a triple OT semifinal thriller, Lumen Christi HC Herb Brogan and the Titans were back at Ford Field looking for a record 4th-straight state championship on Friday. LCCHS faced Kingsley in the MHSAA Division 6 Football State Championship.

The Titans came out hot to open the contest, using a 7-play, 72-yard drive in just over three minutes to take the first points. A 25-yard rushing touchdown from the freshman Ayden Gatewood got JLC on the board to make it a 7-0 ball game early. After a quick three and out from the Kingsley Stags, the Titans quickly scored once again. Senior Sean Walicki took it to the house from 60 yards out on a two play drive to make it an early 14-0 Lumen Christi lead. The Stags answered on the next drive while also consuming almost five minutes of game clock. A 10-play, 62-yard drive was capped off by an Andrew George rushing TD to make it a 14-7 JLC lead after the opening quarter.

Kingsley took up the first seven minutes of the 2nd quarter, but came up just short for an empty drive. A 15-play drive by the Stags was stopped by Sean Walicki on a 4th & goal run from the 2-yard line to keep it a 14-7 contest. After a Kingsley punt, Lumen Christi took possession inside their own 5-yard line right before the half and fumbled. The initial ruling was the QB (Benny Gaston) was down, the call was overturned by the officials after video review. The Stags took advantage and tied the game up at 14 apiece heading into the halftime break, a 2-yard receiving TD by Gavin Lewis helped even things up.

No scoring was had in the third quarter. The Titans came up with a huge stop to begin the 4th quarter, blocking a Kingsley field goal attempt that would’ve given them the lead, to keep the game even at 14 apiece. Lumen Christi used a nearly five minute, 75 yard drive to take the lead with just six minutes left in regulation. QB Benny Gaston delivered a 23-yard touchdown throw to Johnny Walters to give the Titans a 21-14 lead.

Walters would be the hero again for LC, intercepting a deep Kingsley pass on defense with just over four minutes left to help close out the game for the Titans. Sean Walicki iced the game, rushing for a 34 yard touchdown with two minutes left to give LC a 28-14 lead.

Lumen Christi defeated Kingsley 28-14 on Friday at Ford Field in Detroit, they won their record 4th straight MHSAA football state championship. QB Benny Gaston finished 8/13 passing for 111 yards and 1 TD. Sean Walicki led the Titans, rushing for 142 yards, 2 TDs and making 17 tackles on defense. Freshman Ayden Gatewood also rushed for a touchdown for LCCHS. Gavin Lewis led Kingsley with 90 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown.

Kingsley finishes the season at 11-3 overall, Lumen Christi also finishes 11-3 and wins their 15th state championship in school history. HC Herb Brogan wins his 101st playoff game of all-time and is now 10 wins shy of the MHSAA all-time wins record by a coach.