Wyandotte Football Halts Allen Park 27-8, Improves to 7-1

Wyandotte Roosevelt kept rolling Friday night and won its second consecutive game, beating Allen Park 27-8 on the road.

To capture the victory, the Bears (7-1) overcame an early deficit, two first-quarter fumbles and several penalties called by an officiating crew that frustrated both squads all night.

“I thought we did a good job,” said Wyandotte head coach Ron Adams. “I thought our kids maintained their poise and focus.”

Staying focused ultimately helped the team hang on for the hard-earned win, Adams said.

“We didn’t put a lot of points on the board in the second half, but we still have a victory and its something that we’re proud of, and we’re looking forward to playing Southgate (Anderson) next week.”

Roosevelt was down 8-0 early, as Allen Park scored on its first possession of the game. The Wyandotte offense followed that up with two lost fumbles in the red zone and it was starting to look as if the Jaguars could pull off an upset.

However, a tough Roosevelt defense, along with 27 unanswered points, quickly put a halt to those thoughts.

Near the end of the first quarter, Wyandotte quarterback Kevin Matejko hit Devan Stewart at the Allen Park 2-yard line. On the next play, Kyle Matejko ran in for a score, pulling his team to within a point.

Early in the second quarter Stewart, playing defensive back, intercepted an Allen Park pass and took it back for a touchdown. It was the second time in as many weeks that the athletic senior has picked off an opposing pass attempt and turned into points.

Late in the quarter, D’Aries Davis scored on a 2-yard run and gave Roosevelt a 21-8 lead. Helping to set up the score was a penalty called against the Jaguars that left the Bears at the Allen Park 11-yard line.

An interception return by Brandon Sowards helped Wyandotte score one more time before the half ended, as kicker Jacob Simpson hit a 36-yard field goal with 28 seconds left.

Simpson added another field goal in the third quarter to put Roosevelt up 27-8.

Although the Wyandotte offense didn’t add more points after that, its defense dominated Allen Park and kept them from putting together a comeback.

A key to stopping the Jaguars offense, and halting any comebacks, was a strong effort by the four Roosevelt defensive linemen Friday night.

Kyle Campbell, a member of the line and a team co-captain, said the Allen Park blocking was strong, but he never gave up in his effort to get into the backfield and stop the Jaguars.

“I got double teamed most of way, (but) I kept working and got back there,” Campbell said.

Game Leaders

Stewart had four receptions for 93 yards, three punt returns for a total of 132 yards and an interception return for a touchdown. Davis had eight carries for 34 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Kyle Matejko was 11-for-17 and threw for 161 yards. Jacob Simpson made two field goals of 30 yards or more and was a perfect 3-for-3 on extra point attempts.

A Look Ahead

The Bears are home next week to wrap up the regular season with a game against rival Southgate Anderson. Two nights later Roosevelt will find out which team it will play first in the state playoffs.