Trojans Football Preview: Playoffs Or Bust

Talk to a football player. Any of them.

Talk to a coach. Any rank.

They'll all say the same thing. They won't guarantee anything, they're far too humble for that—a 2-7 season a year ago has a way of humbling folks. But, they are firm on their intentions this upcoming season: play postseason football.

On paper, Trenton should have a decent chance of breaking the program's two-year playoff drought. Last year's team graduated 15 seniors. This year's team will have a whopping 32.

"We'll be very senior-laden," said 21-year head coach Bob Czarnecki. "Hopefully that experience will lead to some key senior leadership, which really becomes the most important ingredient."

Last season, the Trojans did not have much success, winning just two games. Czarnecki blames carelessness and inexperience as a primary contributor. The players, overall, sing a similar tune as to why this year should be different.

"We were lacking leadership a lot and we were kind of slow," said returning senior All-Downriver wide receiver and cornerback Jason Barbosa.

"Not much leadership," senior wide receiver Tim Reeber said. "It wasn't as fun as it should've been either, because we couldn't enjoy it as much."

With the amount of experience coming back next season, especially with so many returning starters, the players and coaches feel the playoffs are much more attainable than last season.

Czarnecki also points out that the schedule is pretty brutal. Since the Downriver League was formed two years, the scheduling has changed fairly dramatically. Now every game is a league game as opposed to the previous format when teams could play a non-conference opponent a couple of times a year—usually at the beginning and end of the season. These games were designed to help teams find a groove as well as get a couple of easier wins, perhaps. Czarnecki says those days are over and now every win is even more of a dogfight.

"Every game counted before, but every game really counts now," Czarnecki said. "In this Downriver League, there are three or four teams that are a pretty good size. Anytime you play somebody a little bit bigger it creates some problems. So we'll try to be a little smarter and a little quicker."

Key players for the Trojans this fall will certainly start with their two returning All-Downriver players, Barbosa and Michael Czarnecki. And, yes, Michael is the coach's son.

Both players play on both sides of the ball, Barbosa at wide receiver and cornerback, Czarnecki at running back and free safety, and both most likely will be team captains.

Joining them as captains will be returning senior quarterback Chad Hamilton. Hamilton, a three-sport standout for Trenton, took over as quarterback in the second game of last season. With a full summer of preparation, Hamilton feels ready to lead this team to the the magical six-game win total that locks in a playoff berth.

"I expect us to make the playoffs. Win 6 games. Win the D-league (Downriver League)," Hamilton said. "I think I'm ready to lead this team."

Czarnecki said that he expects three to four teams to have a solid chance at winning the league title. He said that Wyandotte Roosevelt and Southgate would probably come in as the favorites. But Woodhaven, which has the core of its team returning including an outstanding quarterback, could sneak in there and win it, too.

"From top to bottom this is a pretty solid league," Czarnecki said.

The first official practice is Monday, Aug. 8, and the season opener is Aug. 26 at Taylor Truman.