Never use a mat removing comb on a single coated breed, it rips out the hair.
I have the same problem w/Momo (maybe Scrappy & him are long lost brothers!), he won't let me go near his face w/a brush or comb, even my fingers.
What I do is just wash his face (3-4 x's a week) when it gets really dirty w/his drool & whatever he picked up from outside. He hates that too, but it's the safest way I've found.
