Seasons of pride, futures of hope

By Mike Moore
C & G Staff Writer

Madison, Lamphere close out 2008 football season in playoff losses

MADISON HEIGTHS — In essence, the high school football season is a nine-week journey. The reward after that arduous trek is the opportunity to suit up for week 10.

In the end, 256 teams realize that goal and then begin a new journey, which will ultimately take 16 talented squads all the way to Ford Field for the state finals Nov. 28-29.

This season, three of those 256 teams were Madison Heights Lamphere, Madison Heights Madison High and Madison Heights Bishop Foley.

Lamphere and Madison were teams that surprised just about everyone en route to the postseason. And while week 11 never came to fruition for either squad, success was a staple for both.

Foley, meanwhile, survived to play another day after beating Whitmore Lake 20-6 in a Division 6 pre-district game. The Ventures (6-4) took on Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central in a district final played after press time.

For complete district coverage and regional matchups, visit our Web site at www.candgnews.com and click on the Sports link.

Here’s a look at how the Rams and Eagles wrapped up their 2008 campaigns.

Rams roll

When Jason Charron arrived at Lamphere five years ago, he inherited a program that had seen the postseason just three times in its history. Since that time, the Rams have made the postseason three times and have established themselves as a true contender in the Macomb Area Conference.

“This program has really taken off,” Charron said. “It’s something everyone involved has to be proud of.”

The Rams (7-3) closed out the season with a 40-21 loss to Clinton Township Clintondale in the pre-district round of the Division 4 tournament. Despite the loss, which came against a “hard-hitting, talented and well-coached team,” as Charron put it, Lamphere is celebrating its season.

This year alone, the Rams broke a school record for points scored in a season with 273, allowed just over 15 points per game and won seven regular-season games for the first time since 1988.

“We’re very proud of the way we played all season and what we accomplished,” Charron said. “This really was a great season.”

Things could be even better next year, as the Rams are set to return at least 17 players.

“Our goals will be even bigger next year,” Charron added. “We’re a team that believes we can win the (MAC) Bronze, try and go undefeated, and make a run in the playoffs.”

Eagles surprise

A couple of days removed from his team’s pre-district loss to Almont High, a 31-18 setback in the Division 5 playoffs, Madison coach Drake Wilkins recalled his attitude as he walked off of the field.

“I really felt good, even in the loss,” Wilkins explained. “We made some mistakes that were reminiscent of a young team. We spotted them 24 points in the first half, but I told them at halftime to fight to the end. The guys went out and did that. With about three minutes left, we were only down six points.”

Wilkins admitted that there were three or so games his team, which finished 5-5, could have won that it did not. At the same time, he also heard the dire predictions coming into the year.

“People told me they didn’t envision this team to even have a chance to make the playoffs, let alone win two or three games,” he said. “As a coach, you can never approach a season or a game like that. The only game, looking back, that we ran into a better team — that would beat us seven days out of the week — was (Warren) Fitzgerald. Other than that, we had our opportunities. Things just didn’t go our way.”

Next year, however, thanks to an increase in offseason work and a more veteran team, Wilkins expects those “things” to go his way.

“In being realistic, there were some games that teams were just bigger and stronger than us,” he explained. “We looked, at times, like a team of guys playing football at the varsity level for the first time, which we were. … I’ll say this, though, any player who suits up for me has to be excellent in two different rooms — the classroom and the weight room. Keep an eye out for us next year. We’re going to be dangerous.”

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038.