The Durand vs Byron rivalry game is one of the most anticipated games of the season in the southeastern Michigan area. When The Great American Rivalry Series came to both of the schools during the week, you could feel the atmosphere with the intense rivalry very clearly. This was the 9th meeting between Byron and Durand and, on top of it being rivalry week, Durand High selected this game to be their “Operation Freedom” game. This is a game they pick each year to dedicate the game to war veterans and those who have fallen for this country. The game is also to recognize the men and women that currently defend this country. Throughout the game, Durand was raising money for their local Am-vets and VRF by selling Durand gear, game tickets, collecting donations and they even had an auction for the game worn jerseys worn at that nights game which were also special military focused uniforms. Durand’s jerseys were a replica of an American flag with stars and stripes and Byron jerseys were a camouflage of their team colors and each player had the official logo of a branch of the military patched on their right shoulders. With the events going on at this game and the presence of the Great American Rivalry Series and the Marines, it was a perfect set up for the night!

MVP

Levi Driskell

Byron

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Silverio Graham

Durand

Silver is a 3-year letterman and starter for Durand varsity football. Silver is also member of the Durand National Honor Society, Golf team and Wrestling team while maintaining a Grade Point Average of 4.03. His GPA ranks him #1 in a class of 103. In addition, Silver was recently selected as the Argus-Press Student of the Week for the Shiawassee County area. When not studying his academics or in athletics, Silver also helps maintain 255 acres of fields with his father. Silver has applied to Kettering University, the University of Michigan, and Michigan Tech University with aspirations of a career in engineering.

Payne Staton

Byron

Payne is a 3-year letterman on the football and baseball team and is a 4 year-letterman on the basketball team. He was an honorable mention All-GAC infielder in 2015, an honorable mention All-GAC football player in 2015 and a 1st team All-GAC infielder and All-district player in 2016. Payne is a member of Student Council and the National Honor Society. He is currently undecided on which college he will attend.

HALL OF FAME

Jason Johnson

Durand

Jason was part of the class of 2009 where he was a Quarterback and Defensive back on the football team. Jason was a pivotal player in the series vs Byron during his high school career. In 2006, he rushed for 253 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 61-18 victory over Byron. Jason followed that up with another stellar performance in 2008 while rushing for 196 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 25-14 victory. Jason was also a game changer on defense for the Railroaders in the games vs. Byron as he recorded 13 tackles in 2006 and 11 tackles in 2008. Jason played on varsity for 4 years for the Railroaders and recorded a 3-1 record vs the Byron Eagles. He was said to always have good poise and athleticism. Jason finished the 2007 season passing for 1,611 yards and rushing for 1,097 yards and accounted for 28 touchdowns. On defense, he had 102 tackles and 7 interceptions. Jason graduated from Durand early to pursue his football career at Central Michigan University.

Chase McCrumb

Byron

Chase is a 2009 graduate from Byron High. He played in the Durand-Byron rivalry his junior and senior year. His junior season total he had 8 TD’s as a receiver and nearly 1000 yards gained. He was declared 1st team GAC WR after that season. His senior season he had a total of 17 TD’s, a total 1908 all-purpose yards, 600 return yards, 48 tackles, 4 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery. He also had a 60% pass completion rating and was named 1st team GAC at running back. He then went on to play college ball at Southwest Minnesota State.

GAME SUMMARY

Both teams were 4-2 going in to this one so hopes were high for having a good game. The game got started very quickly as Byron was off to a quick score and a two point conversion on their first possession. They didn’t lay off as they put up 22 points in the first quarter to Durand’s zero points. Things didn’t change in the second as they scored 15 more points and took a 37-0 lead into halftime. Payne Staton and Levi Driskell were easily the head of their team in this game combining for multiple touchdowns. Even though the 52-6 final score didn’t show it, you could tell that this was a true rivalry because of how the schools acted to one another. Byron never laid off of Durand, even doing onside kicks and deep passing plays while already being up double digits. From the opening kick off to the very final train whistle, it was never an even match up. Byron goes to 5-2 as Durand fall to 4-3.