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Allen Park tops Roosevelt for first time since ’06
ALLEN PARK — The Allen Park and Wyandotte rivalry is one built upon streaks, and the Bears were coveting a six-year win streak over the Jaguars.
On Friday night, the winning streak ended, and the rivalry swung back in Allen Park’s favor with a convincing 34-13 win.
“We hope that this game can be the start of the tide turning in our favor. (The win) hasn’t sunken in yet. Getting over last week was tough for our team. The kids were upset all week, but I’m proud how we bounced back,” Allen Park head coach Tom Hoover said.
“You need to be focused when Wyandotte comes to town. This win feels good.
The Jaguars (3-1) used a big fourth down stop by its defense to catapult their offense into gear, when the Bears (3-1) failed to convert on Allen Park’s 15 yard line.
The Jaguars used to big receptions from their senior tight end Ethan Kubik to quickly march down the field. The 6-foot-3 target hauled passes of 21 and 29 yards to put Allen Park to the 26 yard line.
Fellow senior Dylan Romo punched in the score on a 26-yard draw up the middle for a 6-0 lead. Coach Hoover sent his sophomore quarterback, Antonio Mangiapane, for the two-point conversion for an early 8-0 lead with 2:54 in the first quarter.
Wyandotte, though, answered back after a big fumble recovery by junior Tyler Thorington at the Jaguar 40 yard line. A few plays later senior Cecil Greene bounced a run to the outside for a 10 yard touch down to cut into the lead, 8-7.
The Bears extended their lead the following drive thanks to a big run, and an even bigger 31-yard catch by Greene that put Wyandotte in the red zone. On third-and goal from the four, senior quarterback Donovan Stewart found senior Todd Sutherby for a 14-8 lead with 8:27 left in the second quarter.
However, Allen Park regained the lead on the next drive. Senior running back Jose Rios set-up the scoring drive on a 25-yard run to the Wyandotte 26 yard line. Then, the Jaguars used a big connection from Mangiapane to senior wide receiver Antonio Reviere for a 15-14 lead with 5:14 left in the half.
“(Mangiapane) is a tenth grader, and he’s so smart. So smart. He’s one of those kids that struggles with throws in practice, but comes to play on game night. He threw some darts,” Hoover said.
“That was a big play and catch by Antonio, too.”
Allen Park then went to the ground behind junior running back Nate Berrelez, who was battling the flu all week. Despite how he felt, Berrelez wasn’t going to miss this game.
“I missed a day of practice on Wednesday, and I was still feeling it today. But, I wanted to play for my team. I wanted to show them I was dedicated, and that I wanted to play,” he said.
On first-and-ten from the Wyandotte 42 yard line, Berrelez showed his determination when he caught a 58-yard screen pass from Mangiapane. The running back weaved through defenders and found pay dirt for a 22-14 lead with 10:09 left in the third quarter.
On the next drive, Berrelez helped Allen Park capitalize off a bad snap that gave the Jaguars excellent field position. He and Rios marched Allen Park down to the four yard line on consecutive runs before Berrelez gave the Jags a 28-14 lead with 5:17 left in the third quarter.
“It’s big. There is no better feeling right now. Everyone on this team wanted this win, and we prepared for it all week. Everyone stepped up,” he said.
Allen Park would sealed the game with 5:10 in the fourth quarter, when Mangiapane ran 55-yards up the middle, then to the near sideline for a 34-14 score.
Wyandotte will look to rebound on the road against Melvindale, while Allen Park looks to keep winning with a home game against Taylor Kennedy.
