By Nick Lizotte
Kismet
Waterford Kettering HS
1st Place
Division 1, Yearbook
Sports Reporting
Even with rough seasons in the past Kettering has fought through each and every season to work toward one goal.
After a tough 2-7 2012 campaign, the Captains came together and started their workouts a few weeks after the last game. Even though they were not required to be there, the majority of the team showed up so they could be ready for the upcoming season.
“During the offseason our team put in and incredible amount of work,” senior Noah Stinson said. “Coach [Mike] Malley worked us really hard and helped us get in good condition.”
With practice five days a week the team had to become a family and with the help of Malley they did.
“We set one major goal this season and that was to make it to the playoffs,” senior Colton Yaroch said. “I’ve had faith in this team since freshman year and I have always said we were making the playoffs.”
With their expectations set high they knew they could make it with the hard work they put in. Wrapping up a 6-3 season with a dominating 48-7 win over Dearborn Edsel Ford they clinched the first playoff spot for Kettering in 20 years and only the second in school history.
The first round game was against Walled Lake Northern. Even though the Captains were defeated by the Knights 28-14 they said it was still a great experience to be a part of that game.
“Leading up to the game it was all excitement and focus for the team,” senior Noah Stinson said. “But the atmosphere around Kettering that week was really hype and tense with the majority of the school looking forward to the big game.”
When that first Friday of November came around the students, staff and especially players were all excited for the game. This is what the team has been looking forward to from day one.