• Big Reds celebrate after long-awaited first win of season.

LANSING, MI - Both teams came into Friday night 0-4, but just a month ago, it would have been much more conceivable both teams would be 4-0 at this point in the season.

No matter, Sexton hosted Okemos, and the Big Reds finally showed how they made the Division IV state title game last year, shutting out the Chiefs offense, with a, 26-8, victory.

The Chiefs lone score came on a defensive touchdown, the first score of the game between both teams. At that point, the Chiefs dialed up a 2-pt conversion, converted and were up 8-0 early in the second quarter.

Near the end of the first half, the Chiefs had a chance to go up, 11-7, but could not convert on a chip shot field goal.

On the very next drive, the Big Reds scored in a matter of seconds as quarterback Michael Lynn III connected with wideout Keyston Branson for a screen pass that turned into a 68-yard touchdown after three sharp jukes from the senior.

With the lead, 14-8, at halftime, the Big Reds defense took full control of this game.

Cornerback Devin Taylor locked down star, Chiefs receiver Chaz Richardson for zero catches. Taylor would eventually score as a wide receiver late in the fourth quarter to put this one away.

"A big challenge for Devin, he knows that Chaz is a great athlete," Sexton head coach Dan Boggan said after the win. "He likes to take those challenges. Devin is an outstanding corner, and I thought he did a great job against that young man."

Okemos running back Dallis Williams who seems to score every week could not get much of anything going on the ground as 230-pound defensive end Kahari Foy-walton put the big into Big Red with hard hit after hit.

"I think the biggest thing is we know we have been on the cusp of almost winning all four games," Boggan said. So our fight was always there, just eliminating mistakes and just continuing to get better each week."