Fordson head coach Walker Zaban (left) goes over a play with senior running back Zane Baidoun.
By Daniel Gretzner
How far will the Fordson 2011 grid machine be able to go in the Division 1 playoffs? This is the No. 1 question that is looming as the east Dearborn high school competes for a district championship.
The Tractors (6-4) have turned into a “wild card” team, especially after beating cross-town rival, Dearborn High, twice this year. If Fordson can got past Detroit Cass Tech last weekend, they will remain in the playoff arena. Thus far, they are the last greater Dearborn area team still standing.
Coach Walker Zaban hopes he has enough talented players to make a difference in order to keep a winning edge during the Fordson playoff run. When it comes down to playoff action, each team is only as good as their next victory. One loss and the season becomes history and it’s wait until next year.
Running back Zane Baidoun is the main spark plug for the Tractors offense. He scored a key touchdown and ran for more than 160 yards while carrying the pigskin for the blue and gold. Fordson will need his athletic ability in the weeks to come as the senior has been having a very good year. Assistant coach Mike Berr, pointed out at practice recently that Baidoun is a cut above when it comes to gridiron ability.
DOWNRIVER GRID LEAGUE PLAYOFF ACTION
Three teams from the Downriver League are still playing in the district post-season tilts. Wyandotte (9-1) has a weekend date at home, where they will be taking on Southgate Anderson (8-2). The other game in District 2 pits Allen Park (8-2) against Detroit King (7-3).
Wyandotte head coach Ron Adams should have his team ready to overcome an earlier loss to the Southgate squad. No matter who wins this matchup, a Downriver team will come out on top and continue the current season – game by game.
DEREK LOWE NOW WITH CLEVELAND
The biggest professional baseball news came early this week when it was announced that former Edsel Ford star, Derek Lowe, was obtained by the Cleveland Indians. Lowe, now 38, is a right-handed starter who has been in the Atlanta rotation for the past few years.
With Lowe moving to the American League Central Division, it will give the greater Dearborn folks an opportunity to see him in action. He is expected to be a part of the Indians starting rotation come next season.
Why the Detroit Tigers didn’t try to land Lowe is a question mark. Local Michigan pitching talent always seems to play on another team or in another league. My case in point is this: Trenton natives J.J. Putz (Arizona Diamondbacks) and Anthony Bass play for the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres, respectively.