Fenton must forget big win over Linden and focus on playoff run
October 5, 2023
Fenton players are still asking in the biggest win of the year.
The Tigers 40-32 victory over arch rival Linden means family outings will be a little sweater this year for wide receiver Kristian Kilpatrick. Visits to grand mom’s house, who lives in Linden, will be more fun. He is likely to be more talkative as he recalls the two touchdown passes he caught last Friday.
Offensive tackle Kaiden Long said beating Linden was more special than winning the Flint Metro League. If that is the case then Fenton Coach Jeff Setzke has plenty of work to do in changing his team’s mind set.
Fenton (5-1 overall, 4-0 in league play) has already clinched a share of the Flint Metro League Stripes Division is enjoying a great season. But the Tigers have bigger fish to fry. Setzke wants his team refocused beginning home coming night when they face a dangerous Flushing (2-4), a team with a poor record who appears to be reviving its season with consecutive blow out wins.
Fenton faces Corunna (6-0 overall, 4-1 in the Flint Metro League Stars division next week in the league championship game.
The stakes are high.
The more games Fenton wins the better chance it could host a state playoff game. One of its early playoff matchups could be Linden, a team that lost in the regular season to Fenton last season only to blow out the Tigers during the playoffs.
## Things are not so rosy in Livingston County. Brighton (3-3) could be the only school to qualify for the playoffs. The Bulldogs are ranked 24th in their division. The top 32 teams make it. Howell (2-4) and Hartland must likely win out with three games remaining to qualify.
South Lyon East (2-4) and South Lyon, who reside in western Oakland County are in the same boat. White Lake Lakeland (3-3) is on the bubble also.