Bears Unable to Secure Second Straight Undefeated Regular Season

For the first time in two years, suffered a Downriver League loss, getting knocked off Friday night 21-18 at Southgate Anderson.

The game was yet another in the , a rivalry that is typically a tough battle, despite either team’s record coming in.

“This is the way this game has been played," Wyandotte head coach Ron Adams said of Friday night’s contest. “We expected a physical challenge. We got it tonight.”

Previously unbeaten, the Bears (8-1), were favored by most over the Titans (7-2), a squad that struggled this year against some of the same opponents Roosevelt handily beat. 

Late in the first quarter of Friday’s game, it looked as if Wyandotte might have been headed for the victory.

The Bears’ defense posted a three-and-out with about three minutes left in the quarter, allowing the offense to get the ball back just short of midfield after a Southgate punt.

On the first play from scrimmage, senior running back took for a 57-yard touchdown.

Taking the handoff from junior quarterback Kevin Matejko, Dunn broke to the left sideline. Barely staying in bounds, he evaded and overpowered defenders along the way to the end zone and gave his team a 7-0 lead at the 2:41 mark of the quarter.

Unfortunately for Wyandotte, Southgate’s Caleb Wilson answered on his team’s first play of its ensuing possession, going 64 yards to tie the game at 7-7.

In the second quarter, the Bears had opportunities to grab the lead, but could not capitalize. 

A second-quarter fumble recovery by junior Devan Stewart in Anderson territory lead to no points, as did a later Wyandotte drive in which the Titans were flagged with two big penalties.

Around the five-minute mark of the third quarter, Roosevelt recovered another Southgate fumble. During the drive, Anderson committed a facemask penalty, helping to set a 24-yard field goal by sophomore Jacob Simpson, putting Wyandotte up 10-7.

Once again, Southgate immediately followed up a Bears score with a big play of its own, going 31 yards on the first play from scrimmage down to the Roosevelt 43-yard line. 

During the drive, Wyandotte was hit with a facemask penalty. Defensively, the Bears were able to hold strong after that, leaving Anderson to try a field goal to start the fourth quarter, a kick that missed and left Roosevelt on top. 

Instead of capitalizing, however, Wyandotte fumbled on its first play on offense. Anderson scooped up the ball and took it to the Bears' 4-yard line, a play that later set up Titans' touchdown that gave the team a 14-10 advantage. 

Roosevelt was forced to punt on its next possession, but looked to be in good shape after Stewart’s kick buried Southgate at its own 6-yard line.

The Titans’ Wilson struck again though, taking off for a 74-yard run to the Bears 5-yard line. Four plays later, Anderson found the end zone and went up 21-10 with 3:16 left in the game.

Going with a no-huddle offense, Wyandotte went 64 yards in about two minutes for a score, capped by a 22-yard touchdown reception from sophomore Kyle Matejko. A successful two-point conversion made it 21-18 with about one minute left. 

Roosevelt attempted an onside kick, but Southgate was able to fall on it and ultimately end the Wyandotte comeback attempt.

Afterward, senior co-captain Tyler Hamilton addressed his team. He reminded the emotional group that the defeat is something to build on as they

“We needed that loss,” Hamilton said. “Now we know we’re not unbeatable–five more weeks.”

Senior lineman Cody Foley also said that Friday night’s outcome is actually something that can help the team, as it now gets ready for postseason play.

“We got the loss out of the way,” Foley said. “We just want to keep it going and step it up.”

Game Leaders

Dunn rushed for 105 yards on 15 attempts and scored one touchdown. Stewart had five catches for 47 yards and completed a 3-yard pass for a successful two-point conversion try. Quarterback Matejko was 14-30 passing with 107 yards and one touchdown.

A Look Ahead

With the regular season now over, the Bears will find out Sunday night which team they will take on next weekend as the high school playoffs get underway in Michigan. The playoff selection show will be aired on Fox Sports Detroit at 7 p.m. Sunday.