• Anders Stakey gives Okemos a, 1-0, lead in the first half.

OKEMOS - Okemos' football team may not be playing this November, but the Chiefs' futbol team is proving itself to be a contender for a state title bid after running stride-for-stride with Maxpreps' No. 14 nationally-ranked Detroit Catholic Central in a, 1-1, draw.

For over 33 minutes of gameplay, the Chiefs could penetrate and push but could not put up a point. Anders Stakey changed that with a cross field chip from the right side to just inside the left goalpost.

With a, 1-0, lead for Okemos at halftime, Chiefs head coach Brian Guggemos preached caution to mistakes.

"We talked about not committing stupid fouls, and we did something that probably was not the smartest foul," Guggemos said after the game.

With 35:22 left in the second half, Okemos made its one big mistake, committing a penalty in their own zone.

Catholic Central midfielder Nicholas Ozog knocked in the game-tying penalty kick.

"It wasn't just that foul. We got ourselves in trouble in the first four, five minutes of the second half with fouls," Guggemos said.

Nevertheless, with top playoff seeds wrapped up for both teams, this game mattered more as a measuring stick for the Chiefs as they prepare for the postseason, less than a week away.

"Early in the year I thought we were playing a little scared," Guggemos said. "Some of the guys, maybe the lights were a little too bright for them."

"Two months later, where we are now, I am excited about going into districts."