Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Utica Stevenson junior running back Justice Wright is tackled by Lake Orion High senior Jeff Heath Nov. 14 at Stevenson.

By Brad D. Bates
C & G Sports Writer

STERLING HEIGHTS  — The immediate reaction to Utica Stevenson’s 38-36 loss to Lake Orion High Nov. 14 at home may have been a mix of shock and awe, but coach Rick Bye knows that will fade.

A veteran of emotional outcomes having coached in multiple state championship games, Bye knows that losing a game like the regional final, in which the Titans overcame a 28-point deficit to lose on a 49-yard field goal as time expired, may actually turn out to be a positive.

“It adds to the enthusiasm in the offseason,” Bye said Nov. 20. “It adds to the confidence level. The feeling for the players is, if they don’t quit on something, they can accomplish anything.”

That knowledge and motivation could be invaluable to a Stevenson squad that could return as many as 45 juniors from their 2008 Macomb Area Conference Red championship roster.

“It shows how good our offense can be,” junior receiver D. J. Mershman said of the Titans’ comeback. “People were doubting us and leaving the game, but we showed how good we could be this year, and next year we should be even better.”

Mershman and fellow MAC Red All-Conference junior honorees quarterback Jason Fracassa and linebacker Charlie Walker lead a junior corps ready for the challenges of improving on a 10-2 record.

“It was hard at first, but you have to go on and let things go,” said Mershman, who had two touchdowns against Lake Orion, referring to the disappointment of the loss.

“I’ve already started. I’ve been working out, getting bigger, stronger and faster. We’re already starting to think about (2009).”

What should help further the Titans’ growth in 2009 is that Bye’s juniors were not just watching their 29 senior teammates; they were contributing in every phase of the game.

“They stepped it up and played the second half of the season like seniors,” Bye said.
While the juniors were playing like seniors, it was seniors like All-Conference honorees

Thomas Beaurem (running back), Brian Falta (defensive line) and Robert Strong (defensive back) that showed them what it takes to lead like a senior.

“You’ve got to give everything you’ve got,” Mershman said of the example set by the seniors like defensive linemen Dan Lydick and Falta. “Even though we lost, for them to go out the way they did, they went out good.”

You can reach Sports Writer Brad D. Bates at bbates@candgnews.com or at 9586) 498-1029.