So close yet so far in 2021, Romeo Seeks Vengeance.
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The Romeo Bulldogs are coming off a great yet disappointing 2021 season after winning the MAC Red but being booted from the playoffs in the 2nd round. The MAC Red and Division 1 as a whole is a gauntlet, and…
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Continue ReadingThe Romeo Bulldogs are coming off a great yet disappointing 2021 season after winning the MAC Red but being booted from the playoffs in the 2nd round. The MAC Red and Division 1 as a whole is a gauntlet, and no playoff game is a given W. Coming into 2022, Romeo looks to have a similar offense and one of the best defenses in the state. This preview will discuss this 2022 Romeo team and what they need to do to take the next step to a State Championship.
Last 5 Seasons
2017: 7-3, 1st-round L to Adams
2018: 6-4, 1st-round L to Dakota
2019: 7-3, 1st-round L to Davison
2020: 5-5, Quarterfinals L to West Bloomfield
2021: 9-2, 2nd-round L to Dakota (Won MAC Red)
Players to Watch
Palazzolo is straight-up a step above most players. As an SB, he’s highly versatile as he can run the entire route tree while also going in motion, receiving handoffs, and more. He’ll play an even more prominent role in the Romeo offense in his senior season, and without a doubt, many players will be looking up to him.
Anthony Lomakoski Anthony Lomakoski 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Romeo Highschool | 2023 MI – LB
The eldest piece of perhaps the best linebacker group in the state, Anthony Lomakoski Anthony Lomakoski 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Romeo Highschool | 2023 MI , is a freak of nature. Lomakoski moves well, reacts quickly, and hits hard on the defensive side. With the amount of work he’s put in this offseason, I expect him to be one of the best linebackers in the state. Lomakoski also played a bit of offense, and it will be interesting to see how he’s implemented.
With some 7-on-7 work this offseason, it will be interesting to see how Roberson performs this season. Let’s face it; if you don’t have a good Quarterback at the High School D1 level, your team can only go so far. I won’t dive too deep into fundamentals here, but Roberson was a good but flawed QB in 2021. If Romeo wants to make a State Title, Roberson needs to perform exceptionally well, which I am confident he will do so.
Other Players: Ryan Relyea Ryan Relyea 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Romeo | 2024 State MI , Victor Earl Victor Earl 6'2" | 195 lbs | LB Romeo | 2024 State MI , Dominic Gojcaj, Owen Youngblood, Nathan Joseph Nathan Joseph 6'1" | 250 lbs | OL Romeo Highschool | 2023 MI
Hurdles to Jump
The Gauntlet of the D1 Playoffs
Romeo will perform well this season, well enough to earn a playoff spot. The MAC Red is a relentless league that Romeo may out win outright, but it will prime them for the postseason like nothing else. Though as we learned last season, winning the MAC Red means nothing in the postseason, as #1 Romeo fell to #3 Dakota, and #2 Stevenson ended up making the state semifinals. So, Romeo can place 3rd in the MAC and still have a great shot to get out of the region alive. But this is easier said than done.
Defensive Superiority
Romeo’s defense may have been the best in the state last season, and this season likely won’t be much different. It isn’t a hurdle to jump as much as it is a consistency issue, and even at that, they were incredibly consistent in 2021 with two costly performances. In their nine wins in 2021, Romeo gave up an average of 5.7PPG, while in their two losses, they gave up 36PPG. The Bulldogs need to make sure they don’t get “figured out” on defense because if they do, just one bad game can derail the entire season.
Leadership & Team Cohesion
Romeo has excellent culture and leaders in the locker room, as far as I know. However, this team is aiming for a State Championship. If Romeo earns a ticket to Ford Field, it’s going to be because of the team’s willingness to play as one, and it’s going to be because of the supreme leadership of the upperclassmen and coaching staff. Each coach praised their team’s cohesion and leaders during every State Championship press conference.
Key Matchups
Week 6 vs. Dakota
It’s been a great back-and-forth between these two teams. Dakota is the most populous school in Michigan, with over 1,000 more students than Romeo, and Romeo itself is a big school. This matchup will play a massive role in the MAC Red standings, playoff points, and these teams will possibly meet in the postseason.
Week 7 vs. Chippewa Valley
Chippewa Valley had Romeo’s number last season. The Chippewas out-athlete Romeo and their offense did whatever they wanted against the Bulldog D. It was a very close game last season, and this season should be much of the same.
Week 9 vs. Grand Blanc
Grand Blanc was one of the best teams in the state last season, with incredible talent all-around. With some key losses, all signs point towards Grand Blanc regressing quite a bit, but they’ve been a steadily good team for a while now.