Fraser High outlasts Roseville High in gridiron thriller

By Brad D. Bates
C & G Sports Writer

ROSEVILLE — There must be something about quarterbacks named Brett.

Like a certain NFL legend who recently changed his address from Wisconsin to New York, the only thing Roseville High senior Brett Makowski enjoys more than taking chances is when those chances pay off.

“He’s bigger than me,” Makowski said of any comparisons to Brett Favre Sept. 17. “I work hard in the offseason, and he does too. Other than that, there’s not much of a comparison.”

Makowski may not see the similarities, but ask opposing football coaches, and they’re likely to point out a few.

“Other teams see him, and they realize they have to attack him,” Roseville coach Melvin Richendollar said.

“We have to protect him to really see what he can do. Our job as coaches is to find ways to get him more time, and then you’d really see him explode.”

Makowski showed flashes of what makes him such a special quarterback Sept. 12 at Fraser High.

With the Panthers trailing 19-0 heading into the fourth quarter, Makowski led the offense to 13 points in less than two minutes.

“I always have confidence that he can make plays and keep us in games,” said Richendollar. “He’s a real quiet guy, and he’s the same way in class. He gets his job done and moves on.”

Those fourth quarters are where Makowski really enjoys leading a talented offense, which includes weapons like senior running back Derrick Johnson and senior receivers Kwon Thomas and Aaron Newman.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Makowski said of the final quarter. “Usually, we’re pretty conservative. But when the fourth quarter hits, we air it out.”

While Makowski may show signs of having a special senior season, he realizes there is one thing missing so far — wins.

“I’d trade all the stats for a win,” Makowski said as his team worked to improve an 0-3 record at press time. “Winning would be the best thing.”

Makowski believes the Panthers, who were competitive in every game, are one or two plays from turning their season around.

“We play hard every game,” Makowski said. “We just need to stop making mistakes, even little ones.”

Like Favre, Makowski has special insight into shaking off mistakes and moving forward. It’s wisdom that he is more than happy to share with his younger teammates.

“If someone drops a pass, I tell them to shake it off, because I’m coming back their way the next play,” Makowski said. “Everyone drops passes; even (Terrell Owens) drops passes.”

He picked up some of leadership ability and knowledge during his junior season, when the veterans on the team made sure he didn’t hang his head after mistakes.

“I’ve thrown interceptions,” Makowski said. “After the first game last year — I had a bad game — the seniors told me they were still confident in me.

“That helps a lot when seniors let you know they’re confident in you and everything is going to be all right.”

You can reach Sports Writer Brad D. Bates at bbates@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1029.