Wyandotte Faces Detroit King for Regional Title

With the regional title on the line, will take on Detroit Martin Luther King tonight at home.

The game features the Bears (10-1) against the Crusaders (8-3), a team that tied for first place in the Detroit Public School League Division 1. The winner of tonight's game will play either Birmingham Brother Rice or Southfield next week in the state championship semifinal.

To set up tonight’s third-round playoff matchup, Roosevelt has knocked off and , winning both games 28-21. King dominated in the first week of the playoffs, then crushed Allen Park last week 41-0.

This season, Wyandotte has faced , but the Crusaders, led by star running back Dennis Norfleet, should present the biggest challenge so far.

Norfleet is considered one of the state’s best players, having amassed 1,864 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns this season. Norfleet’s abilities have landed him an opportunity to play at the University of Cincinnati next fall.

“He’s the real deal,” Wyandotte head coach Ron Adams said. “He is a very good football player. He’s faster than everybody on the field.”

The Crusaders, thanks primarily to Norfleet, have scored 40 or more points in five of the team’s eight victories this year. So far in the playoffs, Norfleet has 463 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, one of which was a kickoff return against Grosse Pointe South.

The Crusaders’ defense is a tough unit that is known for a fierce blitzing attack. In 2011, the team has posted three shutouts, including last week’s 41-0 district final victory at Allen Park.

Although the Crusaders lost three regular season games, compared to the Bears' one, each King loss came at the hands of a powerhouse team.

King’s defeats came against , Detroit Cass Tech (20-18) and Detroit Crockett (21-19). Each of those teams is still alive in the playoffs.

In contrast, Roosevelt wasn’t beaten until week nine, getting dropped .

Heading into tonight’s game, Adams said he knows the Bears will have their hands full with the Crusaders and Norfleet.

However, controlling the clock with a solid rushing attack could help keep Norfleet and the King offense off the field long enough to give Roosevelt a chance to win, Adams said.

“Sometimes the best way to stop a kid like that is to have a good offense,” Adams said.

Wyandotte has shown it can dominate on the ground, with seniors and combining for nearly 1,400 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. 

To get the passing game going, junior quarterback Kevin Matejko will have to deal with the blitzing Crusaders’ defense.

Adams said King’s penchant for blitzing could open up possibilities for Matejko to complete some key passes down field, mainly to junior receiver Devan Stewart.

“You’re going to have some bad plays against these guys,” Adams said. “But if you hit it just right, you’re going to have some big plays.”

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. and tickets are $5 at the gate. Fans hoping to get a seat in the bleachers should arrive early. Dress warm, too, as the game-time temperature is expected to hover around 40 degrees.

For those who can’t make it, check in with Wyandotte Patch on Facebook or Twitter for live updates during the game.