Tough Battles Ahead as Bears Aim for Another Winning High School Football Season

When the 2012 football season gets under way Friday night at Melvindale, will begin chasing its third consecutive Downriver League title.

Overall, the Bears , advancing to the third round of the playoffs after beating , then knocking off rival in the district round.

Repeating that success could be tough, however, as several key members of last year’s team have graduated and the Bears are now relying on some players with little or no varsity experience.

Roosevelt head coach Ron Adams said it’s still important, however, that those players do contribute in order for the team to win games.

“You need to have your junior players step up in order for you to have success,” Adams said.

Team Captains

With inexperienced varsity players on the roster, leadership could be an important factor this season. Wyandotte’s four captains for 2012 are seniors Joe Filipiak, Kevin Matejko, Kyle Campbell and Aaron O’Meara.

Although this year’s captains have to follow what was a strong group last season, Filipiak said he feels they can do just as good in terms of leadership.

“I believe that we will be able to provide a similar type of leadership,” Filipiak said. "Our style of leadership may be a little bit different form theirs, but I still feel that we will be an effective group.”

Offense

Matejko is returning for his second year as starting quarterback. The signal caller threw for 17 touchdowns and nearly 1,200 yards in 12 games last season, but had a completion rate of less than 50 percent. Coming into this year, Matejko said he is much more sure of himself, and his abilities, than he was in 2011.

“Last year I was kind of nervous heading into the season,” Matejko said. “But this year I have way more confidence in myself.”

The backup quarterback is junior Austin Petravicius, a left-handed thrower who Adams said has been impressive in the preseason.

Five different Bears should see action at tailback early on, as Adams said there is no front-runner yet. The tailback committee will be seniors Aaron Robinson and David Davis, as well as juniors Jakob Zanski, D’Aries Davis and Dillon Walsh. 

At fullback will be juniors Kyle Matejko (brother of Kevin) and Damon Singleton. Kyle Matejko played on varsity last year as a sophomore, gaining 403 yards rushing and scoring five touchdowns.

Senior Devan Stewart will be the main target at receiver, as he was last year. He finished 2011 with nine touchdown receptions and 527 receiving yards. Other receivers will be senior David Skarzynski and juniors Brandon Soward and Thomas Cannon.

Five seniors will make up the staring offensive line, including Vince Pizzo, Campbell, Joe Robinson, Zach Kasper and Trey Runions.

O’Meara is set to start at tight end, while seniors Anthony Bussell and Jacob Bias could see time as well.

Defense

Four seniors will be on Roosevelt’s starting defensive line in 2012, including returning starters Campbell and Tyler Winters, as well as Pizzo and Hunter Schmittou. Campbell recorded 11 sacks and 70 tackles in 2011, while Winters had three sacks and 40 tackles.

O’Meara returns as a starting linebacker this season, after recording 91 tackles last year. Kyle Matejko and Singleton will also start as linebackers.

Starting at the corners will be D’Aries Davis and Petravicius, with Stewart and Skarzynski rounding out the defensive backfield. Kevin Matejko may also see time in the secondary, Adams said.

Downriver League

Adams said the team to beat this year in the Downriver League is Taylor Truman. Last year a winless Stadium. This year’s Truman team is loaded with speed and talent, Adams said, and it should give opponents all they can handle.

Rival Southgate Anderson, Allen Park and Woodhaven could all compete for the league title as well, Adams said.

“It’s going to be typical Downriver League football,” he said. “Every Friday night is going to be exciting. I don’t think you can go into any game on Friday and think (it’s) going to be an automatic victory.”

A Look Ahead

Wyandotte kicks off the season Friday night at Melvindale at 7 p.m.

Roosevelt’s next game after that will be Thursday Aug. 30 at home against Taylor Kennedy, which will also be Parents’ Night.