Trenton's Czarnecki Breaks Collarbone: Out For Season

Trenton all-downriver standout running back, three-year varsity starter, and senior team captain Michael Czarnecki suffered what is most likely a season-ending broken collarbone Thursday night against Carlson.

His father and head coach Bob Czarnecki, assistant coach Aaron Segedi and Trenton athletic director Bret Woodley were all optomistic in the victory following the 20-6 victory, but all three have been around athletics a long time. They knew it was bad.

"This is part of the game," Coach Czarnecki said from hospital waiting room last night. "It's unfortunate and tough. Everything happens for a reason, and this will certainly make (Michael) a stronger person."

"It's not going to be good I'm afraid," Woodley said after the game. "The team is going to have to play without him for some period of time, we'll find out how long, but I'm sure they'll play hard and battle with or without Michael."

The 5 foot 6 Czarnecki is not a big guy but has packed a punch for three years as running back, return man and defensive back for the Trojans.Perhaps it was fitting that what will most likely be his final Trenton touchdown, the tough-as-nails Czarnecki ran it in three plays after he broke his collarbone. While there's a small chance he'll be back by the end of the year, you hate to see a great career end this way.

The Trojans must regroup quickly as they take their 2-0 record on the road to face the Downriver League favorites and defending champions, Wyandotte.

"We just got to all take a step back and recover from this one," Segedi said. "Michael got hurt, sure, but quite a few other guys got banged up (Thursday). It's going to be tough but we're going to have to regroup and get ready for next week which is obviously a huge game."