Next Assignment for 8-1 Trojans: Contain Haslett’s High-Powered Offense

All for one: The East Lansing football team, 8-1 entering its first-round playoff game against Haslett, relies on both offensive and defensive contributions from (left to right) Kaleb Elam, Jayth Joseph, Kobe Hayward and Noah Iosefa.

As one of the defensive leaders and a captain on the 8-1 East Lansing football team, Kaleb Elam concentrates on taking things away from his opponent: space to catch the ball, room to run, or time to throw. Elam’s willingness to engage his opponents physically shows that he takes directions well from his coaches.

“Our goal is to out-hit, out-tackle and when the ball is in the air, get after it,” Elam said prior to Thursday’s workout at the MacDonald Middle School practice field.

Elam has done all of that and more this season from his position in the Trojans’ secondary where unsuspecting receivers have found out the hard way what it’s like when he lowers his shoulder and makes contact. He’ll be counted upon for more of that brand of physical play when the 8-1 Haslett Vikings invade Jeff Smith Field at Lynn C. Adams for a first-round Division 3 playoff game at 7 p.m. Friday.

“We’re confident,” Elam said. “The coaches have prepared us the best way they can, putting together a solid game plan and making sure we execute our jobs.”

The threat of a potent offense and a versatile, strong-armed quarterback like Haslett’s Mitchell Mowid (1,700 yards passing this season) is even more reason for Elam – who has three interceptions this season – to look forward to this particular game.

“He’s going to give us a great opportunity to make plays on balls that are in the air,” Elam said. “In a league (CAAC Blue) that I feel is more run-dominant, our DBs and secondary don’t get to see a lot of passes – this week definitely brings on an opportunity and we like to take on a challenge.”

Earlier this season, in week three against Grand Ledge, Elam found out what it’s like to have something taken from him at a time when he least expected it. Early in the third quarter he was penalized for allegedly throwing a punch and ejected from the game. Consequently, he was then suspended and unable to play in East Lansing’s fourth game of the season at Northern High School in Portage.

The better part of six quarters on the sidelines made him realize that football, and the success of his teammates, is something that means a great deal to him.

“I really learned not to take the game of football for granted,” Elam said. “Anything can be taken from you at any moment. So, when I was ejected from the game and suspended from the next game (Portage Northern), I realized this is a big part of me … and to be taken from me that easily is, like, eye-opening and a big shocker.”

The Trojans have each other’s backs. That was never more evident than in week four when Kobe Hayward left the Portage game with an injury and Elam was on the sidelines in street clothes. Senior James Hosey replaced Hayward in the East Lansing backfield and rose to the occasion against Northern with his best performance of the season.

“We are a family,” Elam said. “When I have a conversation with anyone on the team, I can call them my brother. Everyone looks up to the coaches – some as father figures, some of the younger ones as older brothers.

“We have a family feeling and we stick together and focus on being known as a brotherhood.”

It’s been a near-perfect week of practice weather, and East Lansing head coach Bill Feraco likes the direction his team is headed. But he also knows that for the Trojans to extend their season another week – or two – means that they have to embrace the concept of finality.

“The kids understand there’s nothing given,” said Feraco, now in his 15^th season at East Lansing. “We’ve received a lot to this point but going forward (in the playoffs) you’re only going to get what you deserve, not what you want.”

Elam, for one, knows what it’s like to have something you love taken away.

He’s not about to let it happen again.