Meet 2 Canton players working to get team back to elite status

Canton football players Colin Wetmore and Elliott Patten’s roles and skill sets couldn’t be more different heading into the 2025 season.

Their No. 1 goal, however, is identical: do whatever they can to re-establish the Cobras as one of the most-feared teams in southeast Michigan.

Wetmore (a 5-fot-11, 250-pound offensive and defensive lineman) and Patten (a 5-9, 165-pound four-position player) served as the Cobras’ representatives at the KLAA Football Media Day event held earlier this month at Genitti’s Hole In The Wall in Northville.

Being asked to represent a program like they were says a ton about the respect they’ve earned from Canton’s coaching staff, most notably second-year Head Coach Eric Newton.

“Football has been an important part of my life since I can remember,” said Wetmore, a senior, who learned the art of blocking and tackling while playing youth football for the Canton Lions. “The sport has taught me about leadership and how to be a young man.

Learning life lessons

Patten has also learned multiple life lessons by playing one of the most-demanding and, at the same time, rewarding sports.

“Probably the most important thing I’ve learned from football is that you win as a team, not as individuals,” he said. “That’s true in life, too.”

Patten plays so many positions for the Cobras, it would take more than a single line on a roster to list them all.

“I play running back and slot receiver on offense,” he said, “and strong safety on defense. I also returns kicks, so I do a little bit of everything.”

Multi-talented player

Patten enjoyed a solid off-season, displaying dependable hands to go along with his top-level speed on offense — and sticky coverage skills on defense during 7v7 games.

“I like all the positions I play, but running back is probably my favorite,” he admitted.

Which means he’ll get an opportunity to run behind the lane-clearing blocks of Wetmore, who has already received an offer to play at the next level from Adrian College.

“I’ve played a lot of center on offense in the past, but I’ll probably be moving over to guard this season,” Wetmore said. “That’s fine with me because guard is an important part of our offense. I won’t have to snap the ball anymore, but I’ll still have a lot of responsibilities.”

Thriving in the trenches

A longtime center, Wetmore has seen his two favorite players — Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce and Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow retire from the game over the past two years.

“I guess I’ll have to find a new favorite player,” he quipped. “Someone who’s not going to retire next year.”

While he loves the unselfish act of blocking for his ball-carrying teammates, Wetmore admitted he prefers playing defense — the unit that allows him to make drive-stopping hits.

“I like filling the gaps and getting down and dirty in the trenches,” he added.

Big goals

Wetmore said his favorite memory of youth football was making the Super Bowl during his eighth-grade (and final) season with the Lions.

Patten, a junior, has lofty goals when it comes to playing next-level football.

“Honestly, I’d love to play college football in the South — maybe for a team like Florida or Miami of Florida,” he said. “Playing for Michigan State or Oregon would be nice, too.”

When it comes to his post-collegiate career, Patten said he is shooting for the stars.

“I want to play in The League (NFL) someday,” he said. “I know it will take a lot of hard work and dedication, but that’s my goal.”

The next chapter in Wetmore and Patten’s football journey will unfold Aug. 28 when the Cobras host Livonia Churchill at 7 p.m. on the P-CEP’s new North field.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.