Plymouth Football Team Works to Build on Championship Game Run - But Won't Talk About It

As much buzz as four straight MHSAA playoff victories generated within his Plymouth High School football program last season, Mike Sawchuk won't bring it up.

Neither will his assistants. Same goes for his players. 

Never mind that prior to last season, the Wildcats had never posted a postseason victory. Forget about the fact their run to the Division I state title game included a victory over rival Canton before Plymouth's championship run ended with a 21-13 loss to Lake Orion at Ford Field.

Success is all well and good, but for Sawchuk, who won a state championship as a coach in Florida and who is intent on bringing one to Plymouth, the past is the past.

History.

Yet, while the Wildcats may not openly discuss what happened a year ago, players are certain about one thing. Those outside of Plymouth's program aren't expecting a repeat performance from the Wildcats this season.

"It doesn't matter — everyone thinks that and we just look at it and laugh," senior quarterback Shaun Austin said. "We just want to show (people) that it wasn't one year, it wasn't a fluke."

Plymouth gets its first chance at 11 a.m. Saturday when the Wildcats open the season in the Big Day Prep Showdown against Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central at Eastern Michigan's Rynearson Stadium.

After finishing 7-2 in the regular season and posting four straight wins, Plymouth is prepared to take the next step. The Wildcats return a bevy of offensive talent, starting with Austin and running back Donte Fox, who provide a foundation for an offense that averaged 29.6 points a game last season.

Although Sawchuk began summer workouts wondering how successful his defensive line would be after losing standout defensive end Brennen Beyer, who is now vying for playing time at Michigan.

But recent weeks have provided some answers from a defensive unit that includes lineman Bobby Riche and linebacker Tyler Goble and that has proven a propensity for hard-nosed football.

Now, the next step is clear: Build on last year's success while also avoiding a letdown that many state championship-caliber teams experience a year after getting a taste of a title run.

"You have to be guarded because you worry that the kids expect just to be there without doing the work," Sawchuk said. "We made sure they understand just because you did it, you just don't show up."

That led to last year's good fortunes getting the silent treatment. Instead, he will pull out game film displaying some of last season's shortcomings.

"That way, they see there is still work we need to do," Sawchuk said.

So far, the tactic as worked as Sawchuk's players are focused on what lies ahead, beginning with Saturday's season-opener.

Although the past isn't discussed, though, Austin still has a bitter taste left by not being able to finish what the Wildcats started when their historic postseason journey began.

This year, Austin said, provides a second chance — one his teammates are anxious to get working on with hopes of riding the momentum that last year's run provided.

While the Wildcats' title push may have been unexpected around the state, Fox realizes things are different this season. Plymouth has jumped from being a hunter to wearing a bullseye, Fox said, changing the expectation level inside the program.

But with higher standards come a bigger dose of confidence, one Sawchuck said is sometimes too much for his liking. But Plymouth's self-assurance hasn't changed the Wildcats' approach, stressing sticking together and doing things right over everything else.

If that's accomplished, Sawchuk said, the rest will take care of itself — a lesson that's carried on from last year's forgotten season.

"(Last season) made us believe," Fox said. "With everyone buying into a championship team, a lot of kids are starting to believe that if you work hard and do the right things, you can make it back."