Eagles prep for road-tested Fulton

DECKERVILLE — The last time Deckerville’s football team hosted a regional championship was 2000.

That year, an undefeated — and overconfident — McBain squad traveled to the Thumb and went home a 38-7 loser.

The 9-2 Eagles are hoping for the same kind of outcome Saturday afternoon when they host 7-4 Fulton for the Division 8 regional championship

“When you get to this point, you’re not only playing for your program, but you’re also playing for your community,” said Deckerville coach Bill Brown. “It’s great that we get to play at home.”

The Eagles are 2-0 at home in this year’s playoffs, highlighted by last week’s 36-8 pummeling of Bay City All Saints. Conversely, Fulton is 2-0 on the road, including a 7-6 win over No. 1-ranked Fowler in the opening round and a 34-27 decision over heavily-favored New Lothrop last week.

In other words, the Pirates have proven they are a formidable road foe.

“The bottom line is that they have not made many mistakes the last two weeks,” Brown said. “They have played very well.”

The Pirates started the season 2-3, including 20-point losses to Dansville and Laingsburg, as well as a 22-point setback to Fowler.

But a renewed sense of urgency, as well as getting a couple of players back from injury, helped Fulton squeeze into the playoffs with a 5-4 regular season record.

Now, the Pirates are just a win away from the Division 8 Final 4.

“They are a good team,” Brown said. “Offensively, they run a lot of different things. They’ll run an I, they will run a double wing, and they’ll also show a little spread.”

Topping Fulton’s offensive leaders are quarterback Zach Baker and tailback Jared Barton. 

Baker threw for 200 yards and four scores in last week’s win over New Lothrop.

“Their quarterback was right on last week,” Brown said. “He almost played a perfect game.”

Barton hauled in three of those TD passes from Baker last week. He also rushed for 110 yards, putting his total to around 1,500 yards this season.

Deckerville, meanwhile, has dominated its two playoff games, limiting their two opponents to less than 100 total yards.

Last week’s derailing of BCAS was one of the Eagles’ best defensive performances in some time. Deckerville held BCAS superstar quarterback Drew Janer to just 75 yards, frustrating the all-state candidate by blowing up BCAS on the line of scrimmage.

“We knew coming in our front seven was going to be pretty tough,” Brown said. “It all starts up front, and those kids have a done a tremendous job.”

Offensively, even without injured tailback Cody Ross, the Eagles have thrived running the ball.

Andrew Estrada has chalked up 293 yards and eight touchdowns in the Eagles’ two playoff contests while Rick Wilfong has added 308 yards and four more TDs.

“Andrew and Ricky have done a great job for us,” Brown said. “Andrew is running really physical... And even (sophomore fullback) Chris Wolfe has been just a step or two away from breaking one...

“We’ll probably have to throw a little bit this week, which is fine with us. We’re going to take what they give us. The biggest thing is making sure we hang on to the ball. We can’t give it away.”

Like Deckerville, Fulton is a perennial playoff team. The Pirates have made the post-season 13 consecutive times, including in 2007 when they lost in the state title game to Crystal Falls-Forest Park.

Fulton also came to the Thumb in 2004 for the playoffs, dropping a 36-17 decision to eventual state champion Unionville-Sebewaing Area in the regional finals.

“You can tell they are a very well coached team,” Brown said. “The kids are usually in the right spots to make plays.

“It’s big for us to be playing at home, but (Fulton) has been on the road the last two weeks and won, so they’ll be prepared.”

The winner of this game heads to next weekend’s state semifinal showdown to play the winner of the Saugatuck/North Adams-Jerome regional contest.

BOGAN'S PICK: Deckerville 29, Fulton 19

Deckerville Season Review
Week 1: Oscoda 54-0 W

Week 2: Kingston 48-7 W

Week 3: Peck 38-6 W

Week 4: N. Huron 44-23 W

Week 5: Sag. BV 52-32 W

Week 6: Memphis 48-0 W

Week 7: Marlette 20-21 L

Week 8: Ubly 0-40 L

Week 9: L. Alcona 38-0 W

Week 10: SHPC 46-6 W

Week 11: BCAS 36-8 W

PF: 424 (38.5): PA: 143 (13.0)

Fulton Season Review

Week 1: P. St. Pat. 20-6 W

Week 2: Dansville 21-41 L

Week 3: CC Crystal 39-0 W

Week 4: Laingsburg 7-27 L

Week 5: Fowler 12-34 L

Week 6: Potterville 42-21 W

Week 7: Pe-West. 20-21 L

Week 8: Saranac 21-13 W

Week 9: Bath 42-6 W

Week 10: Fowler 7-6 W

Week 11: New Loth. 34-27 W

PF: 265 (24.1): PA: 202 (18.3)