Macomb Township

Seeing Red

By Brad D. Bates
C & G Staff Writer

Macomb Dakota football tops Utica Eisenhower 17-0; wins share of Red title

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — You would think winning league titles would be old hat for a two-time defending Division 1 state champion.

But when Macomb Dakota clinched a share of the 2008 Macomb Area Conference Red Division title with its 17-0 win against Utica Eisenhower Oct. 17 at home, the circumstances surrounding that third straight crown outweighed any championship fatigue.

“I think it’s harder to win a MAC Red title than a district or regional,” Dakota coach Mike Giannone said. “(Districts and regionals), you only need to win two or three games.”

While its stars on offense and defense drove Dakota’s past championships, this year’s championship was the product of a team effort, complete with senior Mike Romanchik and sophomore Mark Morris spending equal time at quarterback.

“We knew coming into the season how hard it was going to be to win the Red,” said Romanchik, whose team spilt the MAC Red title with Utica Stevenson.  “We came out playing hard because we knew we could win a share if we won tonight.”

The quintessential representation of the Cougars’ 2008 team effort is it’s offensive line.

Led by seniors Jeff Fantuzzi at tackle and center Joe Palm, the Cougars’ front paved the way for two rushing touchdowns from sophomore running back Brandon Hughes, one at 11:23 in the second quarter and another at 10:03 in the fourth.

“We start building with our offensive line,” Giannone said. “It’s a good group of kids. Some of them have been to two state championship games, played in one and started 14 games last year.”

Handling a Dakota offensive front that averages 275 pounds proved especially tough for an Eisenhower team already depleted because of injuries.

Despite losing three linebackers during the second half, the Eagles forced a turnover and held the Cougars to 17 points — eight below their season average.

“You have to be realistic and be truthful with the kids. They understand what they were up against, and they know what kind of effort they gave,” Eisenhower coach Bob Lantzy said referring to his team fighting until the end.

The Cougars round out their regular season at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at Macomb L’Anse Creuse North (3-5 overall, 2-3 in the MAC White). Eisenhower ends its regular season at 7 pm. Oct. 24 at Swinehart Field against Anchor Bay (2-6 overall, 2-3 in the MAC White).

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Brad D. Bates at bbates@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1029.