The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Chelsea, Ypsi ready for kickoff
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: August 23, 2007
Chelsea football begins its 2007 season against Ypsilanti 11:45 a.m. Saturday at Eastern Michigan University's Rynearson Stadium.
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The Bulldogs, 10-2 last year, will play the Braves, 8-2 last season, in the first of four games Saturday during the second day of the two-day Big Day Prep Showdown III at EMU. The four Saturday games will be broadcast on Comcast starting Sunday and throughout the rest of next week.
The Big Day Prep Showdown III pregame press conference will on Comcast 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
"We're really excited to play in the game," said Ypsilanti coach Dave Poole. "(Chelsea coach) Brad (Bush) has a great program. He's a competitor, and so am I. It's going to be a great match-up. Two good football teams will go at it Saturday."
Bush, a graduate of Ypsilanti, said going up against his alma mater will be difficult.
"Part of me didn't want to play the game because of that (being a graduate)," he said. "I have great respect for the school. My dad went to school there, I went to school there and my uncle was on two undefeated teams in the 1940s. My wife also went to school there, so certainly that makes it difficult in some ways.
"Also, we're close to each other and we're similar size schools. They're a good program and they had a great year last season. They're a very good team. They're going to be physical. It'll be a great challenge."
Besides being a physical team, Ypsilanti is also one of the fastest and most explosive squads Chelsea will face this season.
"They line up with two receivers that will probably be the two best receivers we see all year," Bush said. "Marvon Sanders, a senior and Donald Spencer, a junior are very talented. Spencer is a big-time recruit. He's 6-foot-4, can run and he's elusive."
While Sanders (5-9, 170), who's already been offered a scholarship by EMU and Spencer will create match-up problems for the Bulldogs' defense, senior tailback Martez Dykes (5-9, 205) returns after running for 1,968 yards last season. The school's career rushing leader (3,017 yards), Dykes is also being recruited by Division I colleges.
"They're going to present a lot of problems," Bush said of the Braves' explosive trio.
While Ypsilanti might pose problems for Chelsea, the Bulldogs' wide-open offense will give the Braves fits, as well.
"I think we have some speed," said Chelsea senior quarterback Jeff Adams (5-10, 165). "Our running game will open up our whole offense. That will be a key for us."
Sophomore Nick Hill (5-9, 185) returns to lead Chelsea's ground game. Adams said Hill isn't the Bulldogs' only weapon.
"I think one player who's going to step up will be (senior) Chris Schmelz," he said. "He's got a lot of speed and experience. (Senior) Donnie Riedel has had a good preseason. I think he'll step up, as well."
Chelsea graduated 36 seniors off of last year's squad. The Bulldogs, however, return 31 seniors to this season's team.
"Our program is built on the idea of a strong senior class," Bush said. "I expect them (seniors) to step forward and lead us to a great year. That's been our tradition."
Adams said last year's 28-25 loss to Fowlerville in the final seconds of the Division 3 state regional final, has motivated this season's squad.
"That was heartbreaking," he said. "That's one game I'll never forget. I want to get back to the regional championship game. Chelsea's never won a regional championship. We have a plaque in the locker room with our goals on it. Our ultimate goal is Ford Field (where state final is held). We want to go as far as possible."
In other Chelsea football news, because of delays in installing the Bulldogs' new field turf, the JV and freshman football games have been changed. The JV will travel to Ypsilanti for its opener today at 7 p.m. The freshman squad will visit Gibraltor Carlson for its first contest today at 3 p.m.
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