FeedsZebras win opener, ready for Central
Wayne football coach Craig Hnatuk fielded a new team in Friday’s opener and came away with new results.
It’s been a while since the Zebras had won their opener, but they put that to rest when they defeated visiting University of Detroit Jesuit High School, 18-13.
He said he feels the team can build on that win and improve last year’s sub-par record.
“With this win you could see it in the kids’ eyes,” Hnatuk said, “You could tell that they were excited. In order to compete you have to get that first one under your belt. It’s huge getting off to a good start.”
Brad Leverenz scored the Zebras first touchdown in the first quarter. The kick missed its mark for a 6-0 lead. Then Allen Freeman nabbed an interception and returned it for a score, adding to the Zebras’ lead, 12-0.
UDJ got on the board when Dion Sims hauled in a 30-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. The play cut Wayne’s lead in half, 12-6, at the half.
In the third, Wayne lost its starting defensive tackle/right guard to a mild concussion, according to Hnatuk. Simms took advantage of the new personnel on the line and scored again. With the extra point UDJ took a 13-12 lead.
It came down to the final six minutes of the game when the Zebras marched from their 35 down to the UDJ’s 2, leaving only 50 seconds left on the clock.
“The play calling by our offensive coordinator was outstanding,” Hnatuk said.
Hnatuk called a timeout on fourth-and a long-2 to make sure they knew what play to run. Then he had to call a second timeout to rearrange players. Regrouped, quarterback David Freeman handed off to Leverenz for the wining touchdown.
Allen Freeman led the ground attack with 120 yards on 23 carries. Leverenz not only scored the winning touchdown, he led the defense with 14 tackles.
Hnatuk and crew will have their work cut out for them tonight when they head to Walled Lake Central for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
He said the Vikings probably won’t have any respect for the Zebras but, then again, that’s the way he likes it.
