DETROIT – There was a big celebration in downtown Detroit Monday afternoon after Cass Technical High School and Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School's football teams historically won dual state championships capturing the Division 1 and Division 2 titles.
It's the first time in state history that Division 1 and 2 winners came from the same school district. Therefore, the Detroit Public School Community District collaborated with the Parade Company to celebrate the wins. The parade went down Woodward Avenue to the Spirit of Detroit for a rally.
"We're really proud of the football team. They had a phenomenal season," said Kaelyn Collins, a senior at Cass Tech.
"It's good to know we are putting on for Detroit and getting PSL (Public School League) more exposure, and we have some great players," said Ambry Thomas, a senior cornerback for the Martin Luther King Jr. football team.
Coaches from both teams said the wins did not come easily.
"We've been knocking on this door for 15 years now and now, we are here," said Thomas Wilcher, the coach for Cass Tech.
"Our coach passed away and that was an unfortunate situation and we just really rallied behind that," said Tyrone Spencer, the coach for Martin Luther King Jr. High School.
The interim superintendent for the school district said the celebration is about so much more that winning the championship.
"I sure hope what it means is people look at what's happening and get encouraged and have hope that DPSCD (Detroit Public Schools Community District) is headed in a new and better direction," Meriweather said.
The parade included both football teams, marching bands, cheer teams, alumni, staff and students. It also highlighted the district's new academic plan and the five pillars on which the plan rests.
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