Romeo and Dakota Put on a Show in a 36-26 Macomb Area Thriller

MACOMB TOWNSHIP, MI - The 28th All-time meeting of Romeo Bulldogs and Dakota Cougars tore the house down Friday night, Coach Baur's squad came out firing almost immediately. Senior running back Jeremiah Aaron broke loose for a 70-yard touchdown, and after Romeo failed to answer on its opening possession, Dakota quarterback Owen Thomas connected with Boston College commit Elijah Goins on a drag route for another Cougar touchdown.

Dakota jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter.

Then Dalton Siracoff entered the chat. Siracoff broke off a 60-yard touchdown run late in the opening quarter to finally get Romeo on the board, cutting the Dakota lead to 14-7.

Early in the second quarter, Romeo’s Tayshawn Proctor came up with a huge third-down sack to stop a Dakota drive. On the ensuing Romeo possession, Siracoff called his own number once again, breaking loose for another 50-plus-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14-14. Dakota looked to regain the lead before halftime, but Romeo’s Landon Gotinsky had other plans, picking off a Dakota pass to keep the game tied heading into the locker room.

The bulldogs came out of halftime and the Coach Reinas lead team immediately took its first lead of the night. Parker Ciak broke through for a 38-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Bulldogs ahead 21-14.

Dakota answered midway through the third quarter when Owen Thomas launched a 45-yard touchdown pass to Santino Lucci in-stride. The extra point was blocked, leaving Romeo with a 21-20 lead.

After Romeo punted, Dakota put together another long scoring drive, capped by Thomas stretching his way into the end zone. Dakota’s two-point attempt failed, but the Cougars entered the fourth quarter with a 26-21 advantage.

Romeo’s opening drive of the fourth quarter was halted by the future BC Eagle, Elijah Goins, but the Bulldogs weren’t done. A few plays later, Siracoff came up with another massive play, this time with an interception. Romeo restarted the drive and continued to bleed the clock, eventually capping the 85-yard drive with a touchdown from Parker Cohoon. The Bulldogs went for two and Landen Fetty converted to give Romeo a 29-26 lead with just four minutes remaining.

Dakota had one final opportunity to tie the game, but sophomore Romeo defensive back Cullen Fetty came up with the game-sealing interception. His older brother, Landen, then put the finishing touches on the comeback with another touchdown, sealing a wild 36-26 Romeo victory.

Romeo heads back home to host undefeated Grosse Pointe South next Friday night, for a guaranteed share of the Macomb Area Conference Red Division Title.