Wyandotte Roosevelt Starts Football Season with Hard-Earned Victory

kicked off its 2012 defense Friday night with a tough 28-14 victory at Melvindale.

The Cardinals (0-1) gave the Bears (1-0) all they could handle and were still alive late in the game. Ultimately some costly penalties by Melvindale, coupled with some key plays by Roosevelt, sealed the Bears win.

The Cardinals scored first, going up 7-0 by torching Wyandotte with an 80-yard touchdown throw with about two minutes left in the first quarter.

Roosevelt wasn’t down long as quarterback Kevin Matejko hit receiver Brandon Sowards with a 50-yard touchdown pass with less a minute left in the first quarter. Bears’ kicker Jacob Simpson hit the extra point, and was 4-for-4 on the night with extra-point kicks.

Wyandotte grabbed the lead in the middle of the second quarter when running back Kyle Matejko powered into the end zone with a short run, his first of two touchdowns Friday night. The score was set up by Roosevelt receiver Devan Stewart, who took a hand off and ran 31 yards.

Overall, the athletic Stewart had an impact for the Bears in several ways, playing receiver, safety, kick return specialist and punter, and finished the night with 155 all-purpose yards.

“I just do what I can to put my team in the best position to win,” Stewart said of his multiple contributions. “Obviously that showed tonight.”

Things were evened up late in second quarter, following a successful Melvindale fake punt, which helped lead to a 25-yard touchdown pass making it 14-14 going into the half.

With its first possession of the second half, Wyandotte went on a long drive, capped by Kyle Matejko’s second short touchdown run of the game. Along the way, two facemask penalties by Melvindale, and some key completions by Kevin Matejko to running back D’Aries Davis and Stewart helped set up the score.

Roosevelt extended its lead early in the fourth quarter, as Kevin Matejko hit Stewart with a 26-yard touchdown reception. The Bears had begun the drive with good field position after Melvindale committed a penalty on the previous punt.

Down by two scores, the Cardinals went to the air, trying to quickly cut the deficit. Although they landed a few big completions, their drives were unsuccessful, as they were plagued with penalties and mistakes. Also, the Roosevelt defense tightened up, highlighted by sacks from defensive linemen Kyle Campbell and Hunter Schmittou and an interception in the Cardinals’ end zone by Stewart.

Wyandotte head coach Ron Adams said there were several positive things he saw Friday night from his team. However, there were also some struggles, such as not being able to establish a solid running game, he said.

“It’s mistakes you hope you don’t make, but it’s high school football,” Adams said. “Now we have to make sure we have some improvement from week one to week two.”

 A Look Ahead

Wyandotte next takes on Taylor Kennedy Thursday night at home, which will also be Parent's Night. Kennedy (0-1) was dropped 46-0 by Gibraltar Carlson Friday night, according to Mlive.com.