Vikings, Knights share North title with 8-0-2 records

After 10 matches in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division, Walled Lake Central and Walled Lake Northern will share this year’s division title.

Both the Vikings and Knights finished with an 8-0-2 record in KLAA North Division play, good for 26 points each and tying them for first-place.

It is the fifth straight division title for Northern and the first for Central.

However, it was Northern that was awarded the tie-breaker over Central and the right to face KLAA West Division champion Brighton on Monday, Oct. 8 in the KLAA Lakes Conference title match after press time.

The winner will play the Kensington Conference champion today, Wednesday, Oct. 10 in the KLAA championship match on the road against either Canton or Plymouth Salem.

The division race came down to the wire beginning on Monday, Oct. 1, when Central blanked Lakeland, 1-0, at home thanks to a goal by Mark Gjura with an assist from Bryan Maxwell.

Brandon Runyoun picked up the clean sheet in net for Central.

Northern responded with a 4-0 victory at home over Waterford Kettering on Tuesday, Oct. 2.

Central then defeated rival Walled Lake Western, 4-2, at home on Thursday, Oct. 4 thanks to a goal and two assists from Maxwell.

Western finished in third-place in the North with a 5-5 record, good for 15 points.

The Knights then ended their division schedule with a 5-0 victory at home over Waterford Mott on Friday, Oct. 5 to clinch a share of the KLAA North with the Vikings.

Meanwhile, Central played at Grand Blanc on Monday after press time and will play in a KLAA crossover match today, Oct. 10 at either Plymouth or Novi.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association District tournament will then begin on Monday, Oct. 15.

Northern and Central will be in the West Bloomfield District, along with Waterford Kettering, Waterford Mott, Huron Valley Lakeland and host West Bloomfield.