'All systems are go'

By Brad D. Bates
C & G Staff Writer

Grosse Pointe North football tops Osborn, readies for De La Salle

If any football team in the state was prepared to open its postseason against 8-1 and 10-0 teams, it would be Grosse Pointe North.

The Norsemen opened their Division 2 postseason by beating Detroit Osborn 21-13 Nov. 1. The pre-district victory came on the heels of wrapping up one of the Macomb Area Conference’s toughest schedules, and coach Frank Sumbera hopes that pays off against their next opponent — undefeated Warren De La Salle.

“They’re a very good football team that is well-coached, executes well and has no weaknesses,” Sumbera said of the Catholic League Central Division and AB Division Prep Bowl champions. “We’ve got our hands full, but we’ll be ready to compete.”

Sumbera hopes the Osborn game gave his team a preview of what the Pilots will throw at it when the two teams meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at Warren Fitzgerald.

“Our game with Osborn was very physical, and De La Salle will be the same way,” Sumbera said.

Sumbera looks for De LaSalle to use its size to an advantage, even though his own offensive line, led by senior tack Josh Franklin, averages 273 pounds.

“It’s a rivalry and a battle on the east side,” Sumbera said of the matchup with De La Salle. “All the athletic programs (at De La Salle) are at a high level, and we like to think ours are too.”

The Norsemen, led by their running game and the MAC’s third best defense, are hoping to get back to the level of play that helped them get off to a 5-0 start, giving up only 13 total points in those games.

“We’re healthy,” Sumbera said. “We lost a couple guys, but we’ve got them back now. All systems are go, and you can’t look over your shoulder. You’ve got to go ahead.”

One of the players the Norsemen are glad to have back is junior fullback Tommie Watkins, who, after sustaining an injury Oct. 10 at Warren Mott, combined with senior running back Darin Wills for more than 200 yards rushing against Osborn.

“We’ve been running the ball well, but we need to improve our passing,” Sumbera said. “If we can pass the ball a little better, it will take the pressure off our running game.”

Even with all their players in the lineup, the Norsemen still feel like underdogs against the Pilots. But after having faced tough competition all season, being the underdog is something the Norsemen relish.

“We’re always the underdog,” Sumbera said. “We were underdogs to (Macomb) Dakota and (Warren) Mott.

“We weren’t supposed to beat (Utica) Eisenhower or (Utica) Ford (II), but we were the only ones in the MAC (White or Blue) to beat a team from the Red this year.”

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