Rochester, Rochester Hills

Historic, and fun

By Mike Moore
C & G Staff Writer

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Senior quarterback Matt Rolf was instrumental in the success Lutheran Northwest experienced in the 2008. The Crusaders closed the campaign with a 10-1 record and the first playoff victory in program history.

Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest closes out 2008 as one for record books

ROCHESTER HILLS — Historic.

There is really no other way to describe the 2008 season for the Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest football team.

“It was a lot of fun, too,” coach Don Justice said with a smile.

Historic and fun.

The Crusaders wrapped up the season with a 35-0 loss to Royal Oak Shrine in a Division 7 district final Nov. 7.

A year ago, Northwest was a team treading water, with a 2-7 record and an admitted lack of commitment. This past offseason, however, something was different, as a new dedication was implemented and followed, religiously.

“These guys learned a lot about hard work and what can happen when you dedicate yourself to something,” Justice said moments after the loss to Shrine. “We were a 2-7 team last year that went 10-1 playing a lot of the same kids and a lot of the same teams. That doesn’t just happen by chance. These guys went out and earned everything they got.”

Northwest’s 10 wins was the most in a single season in program history; the previous high was six in 2005. The Crusaders also clinched their first Metro Conference title after posting a 7-0 record and won the first playoff game in program history with a 48-7 victory against Southfield Christian Oct. 31, which was also the team’s first home playoff game ever.

“I’ve been playing football since middle school, and this is by far the most exciting season I have ever been a part of,” senior running back Jordan Skinner said. “We want to keep winning and keep playing, but there’s no shame in losing to Shrine. That’s a great football team over there. A loss like this takes nothing away from the season we had.”

When asked about the drastic turnaround, Justice wasted little time in responding.

“The commitment,” he said. “This was a group of guys committed to fixing this program. But it takes more than just talking to the talk; they went out and worked all offseason. They were in the weight room. They were running. The dedication to be successful was something they took to heart.”

“When this (senior) class arrived our freshman year, we knew things could be special here,” Jordan added. “But this last offseason, we learned it wasn’t going to just happen — we had to go out and work for it. To do that, well, it’s pretty unreal.”

Justice had no problem looking into the future, saying the expectations for his program have definitely risen, and similar seasons should be the norm, as soon as 2009.

But as a cool mist fell on this night, the only sound trumping that of the highways that run behind the field was of the home fans, who were lined up at the gates as the Crusaders walked back to the locker room for the last time.

Cheering, air horns and high fives greeted the players.

“One heck of a season, guys,” one person yelled out.

The players walked proudly through the group. Some were crying, some were smiling, and many were doing both.

One thing’s for certain, they all played a role in something historic, and fun.

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