Unbeaten East Lansing to Face Toughest Test Yet Against No. 2 DeWitt

East Lansing’s varsity football team will face off against DeWitt at 7 p.m., on September 21, in Lynn C. Adams Stadium. Both teams are unbeaten, with each team sporting a 4-0 record. The DeWitt Panthers are ranked No. 2 in Michigan’s Division 3, while the East Lansing Trojans are ranked No.3, according to the most recent Associated Press poll.

The Trojans are coming of off a 31-28 last minute defeat of traditional powerhouse Grand Ledge (1-2) at home two weeks ago, sealed by a touchdown drive in the final minute, and a 30-20 victory over Portage Northern (2-2) on the road last week.

DeWitt opened their season with a tough win against No. 7 Grand Rapids Christian (3-1), and have since cruised to three easy victories, winning 49-14 against Walled lake Northern (1-3), 39-0 against Okemos (2-2), and 49-7 against Holt (1-3).

This game is also East Lansing’s homecoming. Because of the combination of excitement generated by an undefeated team, a top-3 match-up, and homecoming, East Lansing athletic director Nicole Norris is expecting a large crowd. “We do expect a lot of people, because it is our homecoming, first of all. Second of all, both the teams have done very well so far, and it’s a pretty big rival, so I think we’ll have a very full stadium,” Norris said.

Last week, the Trojans were without the help of standout senior defensive back Kaleb Elam, who was suspended for one game for throwing a punch during a scrum against Grand Ledge. Head coach Bill Feraco said that Elam will be able to play this week. Elam has had a strong season so far, including an impressive leaping interception against Dearborn Divine Child (1-3).

Star senior tailback Kobe Hayward left last week’s game against Portage Northern at halftime on a stretcher with an apparent injury, but Feraco said that he will be able to play against DeWitt. “All of the tests came out negative, so, it looks like he will be almost 100 percent,” Feraco said. Hayward has six rushing touchdowns on the season.

The Trojans will look for strong performances from senior quarterback Joe Benbraham, who has started the last three games and orchestrated the game winning drive against Grand Ledge, Hayward, and senior kicker and receiver Jack Morse, who has already booted a 45-yard field goal earlier in the season and scored the game winning touchdown against Grand Ledge.

Feraco acknowledged that while this is an exciting and emotional game for the players, he is keeping the game in perspective. “This is exactly in the middle of the season, so it’s a great opportunity for us to assess exactly where we are,” Feraco said. “Although this is important, there’s no doubt about it, because it’s an excellent opponent, we want to make sure we are where we need to be [at the end of the season.]”

Feraco was optimistic that the Trojans are up to the challenge. “I think that if we execute, we had a pretty good week of practice, if we execute and do what we are supposed to do, and take things one step at time, very intentionally, I like our chances here,” Feraco said.