Distractions or not, Detroit Cass Tech is still 4-0

DETROIT - Let's be honest, Cass Tech has been distracted. With all of the troubling news surrounding former quarterback, Jayru Campbell, it's almost remotely impossible for his teammates, classmates, and coaches not to think about him.

But amid the Campbell situation, head coach Thomas Wilcher has kept his team's mind on football, and football only.

"My thing with this team, is that we have to focus on each other, and who we have here," he said. "We have to look at each other, because, we still have football games to win, and we can't do that if we aren't as one."

So far this season, Cass Tech has responded well to the off the field distractions, with an unblemished of 4-0 record to start the season. Their latest win was a 50-0 beat down of Frederick Douglass (0-4) yesterday, in league play.

The Technicians weren't even at full strength, with several key starters out, including star running back Mike Weber. Still, that allowed a number of underclassmen to get some playing time, and much needed experience. The win was way too easy for Cass Tech, but there is still work to do.

"I appreciate any win, but we have to keep working, because we have to get better," Wilcher said. "I think we will get better with time, and as we keep seeing it, pretty soon it'll pop. I thought we had some young guys who stepped in, and did some good things for us today."

One of those young guys was sophomore quarterback, Rodney Hall, who was already given the starting job at the beginning of the year. Replacing a three year starter, and two-time state champ in Campbell, is never easy, but Wilcher believes that Hall has shown some progression over the last four weeks. Hall tossed two touchdowns yesterday, in limited action.

"He's (Hall) a lot better than he was last year as a freshman," Wilcher said of his signal-caller. "The most important thing is that he's growing, he's confident, but I don't want him getting cocky.

"He has to stay within the frame of the game, with what we teach him, and that goes for the rest of the team as well."

Ke'Von Sardin took the opening kick off, 91-yards to the house, basically untouched, and the feeling was that this one was going to be over quick. The score was 44-0 by halftime, and six players reached the end zone for Cass Tech, including twice for sophomore wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.

The Technicians host Denby next Friday, then they'll have their biggest test of the season, since week one, when East English Village Prep makes their way to downtown Detroit. Cass Tech won last year's meeting, 19-0, so the Bulldogs will be out for revenge October 3.

"Games like these aren't really fun, but we still have to come and play to the best of our abilities," Peoples-Jones said of the win over Frederick Douglass. "But that East English game will be different. They are a little better, but we will be ready."