Warren

Patriots determined to play hard, then see where they stand

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Roy Feldman Warren Cousino senior quarterback Lawrence Austin (5) stepped in to lead the Patriots’ offense after playing running back in the past. Photo by Roy Feldman Warren Cousino senior quarterback Lawrence Austin (5) stepped in to lead the Patriots’ offense after playing running back in the past.

WARREN — A tough slate had the Warren Cousino football team at 2-4 overall at press time.

A 5-4 record could get the Patriots in the Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs. It would also give Cousino a second straight Macomb Area Conference White Division title.

Patriots coach Mike Powell believes his team still has an outside shot to reach the postseason.

“I know it’s cliché, but we’re just taking things one game at a time,” Powell said.

Three games into the divisional portion of the regular season, Cousino sat at 2-1 in the MAC White, one game behind Warren Mott and Port Huron High.

The Patriots’ Oct. 5 matchup with Warren Mott took place after press time.

Powell said his goal of winning a league title remained in reach with two MAC White games to play.

“We need to … have Mott beat Port Huron (Oct. 12) and hope for a three-way tie,” said Powell, in his 13th year as Cousino coach. “Winning the division is our No. 1 goal every year, and that’s still our goal at this point in the season.”

Senior quarterback Lawrence Austin, in his first year under center after playing running back, concurs with his coach’s optimism. He said Cousino will fight each week and see how things shake out.

“We’re gonna play hard every week and try to go out with a bang,” said senior wide receiver/linebacker Jason Lux, who along with Austin, Powell tabbed as team leaders.

Lux, according to Powell, has been a do-it-all player this season. The senior said he’s spent time at running back, wide receiver, linebacker and defensive back.

Powell said Austin took the initiative to ask to make the move to quarterback. The senior signal-caller saw a void at the position and stepped up to take the reins.

Austin said the Patriots continue to have a “one game at a time” mindset. However, he said, everyone understands the significance of the team’s final three regular-season games.

“We just have to play our game,” Austin said. “We know what’s at stake, though, and we know it’s a bit of a long shot for us to make the playoffs, but we’re still gonna fight.”

Cousino next hits the field at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 for a road tilt at Anchor Bay.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jason Carmel Davis at jdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1107. Follow Jason Carmel on Twitter.