Fierce Shutout Ends Wyandotte Football Season

hopes for advancing in the state playoffs when the team’s season ended with a 33-0 loss at home to Detroit Martin Luther King.

The Bears (10-2) were dominated on both sides of the ball by the Crusaders (9-3), which received the regional championship trophy following the game. With the victory, King advances to play either Birmingham Brother Rice or Southfield next week in a semifinal game.

The Crusaders were led by running back Dennis Norfleet, who showed why he is considered one of the best players in the state. The senior, who will play for the University of Cincinnati next year, rushed for 176 yards and two first-half touchdowns

Offensively, the Bears struggled to move the football all night.

Wyandotte’s otherwise potent running attack was shut down by King’s defense, which allowed just 97 total rushing yards. Junior quarterback Kevin Matejko was constantly under pressure from the blitzing Crusaders and finished just 4-19 with 48 yards passing.

King struck fast Friday night, with Norfleet breaking away on the team's first offensive play of the game for a 68-yard touchdown run, leaving Roosevelt down 7-0 early in the first quarter. 

The next King possession also resulted in a score, a 41-yard touchdown pass that put the Bears behind 14-0 midway through the first quarter.

Norfleet scored again near the 6-minute mark of the second quarter, running in a 24-yard touchdown to put the Crusaders up 20-0, following a failed conversion attempt.

With the half almost over, King added to its lead with another touchdown reception. A failed conversion made it 26-0 with less than a minute remaining in the half. 

On the ensuing kickoff, senior returned the ball deep into the Crusaders’ territory, but it was to no avail as time ran out in the half.

Roosevelt’s defense came out strong in the second half and kept King off the board.

However, the Crusaders defense continued to stop Wyandotte from moving down the field.

Early in the fourth quarter, a returned fumble for a touchdown by the King defense ultimately squashed any chance of a Bears’ comeback, leaving the deficit at 33-0.

Although the Bears were knocked out of the playoffs Friday night, senior running back said he is proud of what he and his teammates accomplished this year.

“Our team’s effort was great,” Matt said. “We’re only the third team in school history to win a district championship.” 

The Roosevelt season wraps up with the team having captured the and .

Wyandotte head coach Ron Adams said he is pleased with what the Bears accomplished on the field, as well as off the field, this season.

“These guys have done a great job of representing not only our school, but our community,” Adams said. “I can’t tell you how much more I can be proud of them. ... It’s been a great ride.”

For highlights of the Bears season this year, check out our Road to the Playoffs page.