Wyandotte — For Downriver.
That's the rallying cry this week as Wyandotte Roosevelt makes its second consecutive Division 2 regional final appearance and third in five seasons.
"We represent a lot in this game," said Roosevelt coach Ron Adams, whose 10-1 team hosts 9-2 Oak Park in the regionals at 7 p.m. Friday. "I know there are questions on whether teams in the Downriver match up well. We didn't match up well with Detroit King last year (33-0 loss).
"(But) we've shown we can be competitive."
Teams from Roosevelt's Downriver League are winless against outside teams.
In the 2008 regional final, Roosevelt lost to Southfield, 24-21. In the second round in 2010, Roosevelt lost to Temperance Bedford, 34-23.
Against Oak Park, Roosevelt is up against a team with superior speed, especially in the backfield with senior Malik Washington and sophomore John Kelly.
Still, Oak Park coach Greg Carter knows Roosevelt presents problems, too.
"They have a nice quarterback (Kevin Matejko)," Carter said. "It's hard to gauge them. They're playing good defense and it's their place."
Wyandotte's defense shut down Woodhaven's triple option in the opener (31-14) and Taylor Truman and its T-formation last week (9-0).
Pick: Oak Park by 4
Top games
All games 7 p.m. Friday unless noted
Birmingham Brother Rice (9-2) at Walled Lake Western (9-2): Brother Rice won the two previous meetings. Western has improved, but Brother Rice's defense is too strong. Brother Rice by 8
Detroit Cass Tech (9-2) at Saline (10-1): Cass Tech turned it on in the second half last week (28 points vs. Dearborn). Cass Tech starts faster this week. Cass Tech by 14
Macomb Dakota (10-1) at Lake Orion (10-1): Dakota has won all three meetings — in the playoffs. It's Lake Orion's turn. Lake Orion by 10
Detroit Catholic Central (7-4) at Plymouth (9-2), 1 p.m. Saturday: Plymouth, thanks, in part, to Kyle Brindza (Notre Dame), upset C.C. in the regional final in 2010. C.C. is playing with much poise and confidence. C.C. by 4
Rockford (9-2) at Clarkston (11-0), 1 p.m. Saturday: Rockford rallied from 14 points down to beat Holland West Ottawa. Clarkston's defense has allowed more than 20 points twice. Clarkston by 8
Detroit East English Village Prep (9-2) at Orchard Lake St. Mary's (9-2), 1 p.m. Saturday: Should East English beat the defending Division 3 champs, it would be the program's biggest victory. St. Mary's by 7
River Rouge (11-0) at Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (10-1), 1 p.m. Saturday: River Rouge continues to be the surprise team in Division 5. River Rouge by 3
Waterford Lakes (9-2) at Harbor Beach (10-1), 1 p.m. Saturday: If the game comes down to kicking, Lakes (Spencer Howell kicked a school-record 47-yard FG) has the edge. Harbor Beach hasn't scored fewer than 42 points its last eight games. Harbor Beach by 13
Grosse Ile (10-1) at Detroit Country Day (9-2), 2 p.m. Saturday: Offensively, Grosse Ile never looked better during a rout of Dearborn Heights Robichaud. Country Day's offense sputtered against Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. Country Day by 6
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