Photos: Berkley Bears Win Homecoming Game, 35-14

The Berkley Bears had a lot to celebrate during their 35-14 victory Friday over the Ferndale Eagles at Hurley Field in Berkley.

The football team's dominant performance against the Eagles kicked off homecoming weekend and was punctuated by a homecoming court ceremony and a halftime performance by the Berkley High School marching band, which received a Division I ranking for the first time in school history Wednesday at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Festival in Royal Oak.

"It's been a very good day," BHS assistant principal Mike Ross said Friday night. "We had a great pep assembly here today. The students are very spirited."

Berkley High School will celebrate homecoming Saturday with a pancake breakfast and a dance in the evening. BHS students Veldo Funwie and Deja McCrary were crowned homecoming king and queen, respectively.

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On Friday night, things looked grim when Ferndale took the ball down the field for a touchdown and then Berkley botched a punt opportunity, coach Jeff Burnside said after receiving a Gatorade shower on the chilly sideline.

"This game could not have started any worse for us," he said. "We could have just folded up our tents and been done. I'm proud of their character, I'm extremely happy with their effort. This is a very special group to me."

Undeterred by the early setbacks, the Bears regained the lead in the first quarter and kept it for the rest of the game, finishing Friday with a 4-4 record so far this season.

On Oct. 19, the team takes on their rival, the Royal Oak Ravens, at Royal Oak High School in the "Fight Against Childhood Cancer" game, which aims to raise money for Beaumont Children's Miracle Network.