Playoff-Bound Bears Win Share of Downriver League Title

Wyandotte Roosevelt claimed a share of the Downriver League title Friday night, beating Southgate Anderson 59-6 in a game that was decided by halftime.

Running back Aaron Robinson scored four rushing touchdowns and gained 118 yards on the ground, leading the Bears (8-1) to their third consecutive first-place finish in the Downriver League. The 2012 title, however, is split with Taylor Truman and Woodhaven as well, as all three teams ended with 8-1 records.

Roosevelt’s chances of hosting a playoff game next week also increased with the win against the struggling Titans (2-7).

Throughout the years the Wyandotte-Southgate rivalry has produced many memorable games, but this year Anderson was completely overmatched.

The Bears struck first Friday night and never looked back.

Wyandotte took a 7-0 lead with about four minutes left in the first quarter, as Robinson scored his first touchdown run of the night, a 33-yard scamper to the end zone.

On Southgate’s ensuing possession, Devan Stewart intercepted a pass and took it back for a touchdown. It was the third time in as many weeks the senior has scored after picking off a pass.

Near the end of the first quarter quarterback Kevin Matejko hit Stewart at the 10-yard line with a 26-yard pass. The Bears were unable to get into the end zone, but kicker Jacob Simpson hit a 27-yard field goal, giving his team a 17-0 lead.

With a about five minutes left in the second quarter, Roosevelt stunned the visitors and put them away with four touchdowns before halftime.

Robinson ran in a touchdown at the 4:42 mark, which had been set up by a 43-yard reception from Brandon Sowards.

Two Anderson fumbles quickly put the ball back in Wyandotte’s hands, and each time Robinson responded by taking a handoff and hitting paydirt, giving the Bears a 38-0 lead.

“It was unreal, especially being against our rivals Southgate,” Robinson said of his performance Friday night. “(There’s) a long history there.”

Before the half ended Roosevelt capitalized one more time, as Anderson turned the ball over yet again.

Sowards, playing defense, intercepted a Southgate pass and took it back for a touchdown, scoring with only 16 seconds left in the half.

The Titans got on the board with their only points of the night as time expired in the half, making it 45-6 as the teams headed to the locker rooms.

Sped up by a running clock, a quick second half featured two more Roosevelt touchdowns. David Davis and Dillon Walsh both found the end zone, capping the 59-6 blowout victory. 

Wyandotte head coach Ron Adams said that the win Friday night serves as an excellent farewell to Roosevelt Stadium for the squad’s 24 seniors, should the Bears not get to host a playoff game this year.

“It was a great way to send our seniors off, (due to) the possibility of not having the chance to play on the field again.”

Game Leaders

Robinson finished with eight carries for 118 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Stewart scored his team-leading 12th touchdown Friday night with an interception return. Sowards, who is second on the team behind Stewart in touchdowns, scored his sixth, which was also an interception return.

Jacob Simpson hit all eight of his extra point attempts, as well as one field goal.

A Look Ahead

On Sunday night the Bears will find out which team they will take on first in the state playoffs. The 2012 MHSAA playoff pairings will be announced Sunday on the Selection Sunday Show, which will air on FOX Sports Detroit at 6 p.m.