Food and Football Bring Wyandotte Bears Together

Following a successful regular season, players and coaches had a chance to come together Sunday for something other than a practice or game. 

The gathered at Roosevelt on Sunday for a team dinner and to find out who they'll face in the first round of the statewide football playoffs. 

Inside the same room used for game film study, the group was all smiles as they chowed down pizza. Even after a two days prior to Southgate Anderson, the team’s spirits were high as they watched the Sunday Selection Show on Fox Sports Detroit.

The hourlong program began by announcing the Division 8 playoff brackets first, then moving in reverse order up to Division 1. With Wyandotte playing in Division 2, players had to wait about 45 minutes to learn

While waiting, however, players had a chance to laugh, joke around and enjoy some time together off the field.

“It’s one of the few times we can get together and not worry about anything football-related,” team co-captain Hunter Matt said. “We can just goof around and be together.”

The Bears earned a chance to take in the moment in such a relaxed fashion by having already clinched a playoff spot and first-round home game. Squads with less impressive records had to watch with more anxiety, some knowing they only had a slim chance of getting a postseason opportunity.

With 2011 being Roosevelt’s sixth straight playoff appearance, head coach Ron Adams said the team has gathered in previous seasons for the selection show.

“We’ve been doing this now for the past few years,” Adams said. “We feel good about bringing everyone together.”

As for opponent Ypsilanti Lincoln, Matt said he is excited about the pairing because it gives the Bears an early chance to see how they do outside the Downriver League.

“I think it’s really good because we get to see how we match up with teams from across the state,” Matt said.

The time and date of the game will be announced Monday. The game will take place either Friday or Saturday.

Last season, Wyandotte played Downriver League foe Allen Park in the first round of the playoffs, then were bounced by Temperance Bedford in the next round.

Ypsilanti Lincoln are in the state playoffs for the first time in school history, following an 0-9 season in 2010.

Roosevelt assistant coach Shawn Stewart said Lincoln has a strong fan base and he suspects many will make the 30-mile trip to Wyandotte for the game.

“They travel well,” Stewart said. “They’ll be fired up and ready to go.”

Senior Tyler Hamilton, a team co-captain, said taking on Lincoln would be tough because it is an unfamiliar foe, but the Bears know how to prepare for big games.

“It’s going to be difficult because it’s a team that we’ve never seen before, but we’ll be ready,” Hamilton said.

If Wyandotte is able to knock off Lincoln, its next opponent will be either Southgate Anderson (7-2) or Woodhaven (6-3). 

, Roosevelt knocked off Woodhaven 28-0 to secure its playoff spot.

The Bears, however, weren't as fortunate when they faced Southgate on Friday. They suffered their first regular season defeat in two years when

However, the regular season is now over and the playoffs are an entirely new set of games to focus on, Adams said.

“It’s like a new season; you start it all over again,” Adams said. “Hopefully we’re ready to play at a high level.”

A complete playoff bracket will be available for download on the MHSAA website. (The Bears are in Division 2.)