The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Dexter to open gridiron season at Adrian
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: June 26, 2008
Earlier this week, the Michigan High School Athletic Association released its football schedules for the 2008 season.
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Dexter is coming off a year in which it finished 3-6 overall. The Dreadnaughts, who have never qualified for the state playoffs, were a missed tackle, a dropped ball or a turnover away from flip-flopping their record a season ago.
Last year, Dexter started 3-1 and appeared headed for the postseason. But five straight losses ended the Dreadnaughts' playoff dreams. Four of the five losses were to teams that eventually made the state playoffs. Hurting even more was the fact Dexter's final four losses of the year were all by seven points or less.
This season, the Dreadnaughts kick off the year taking on Adrian at Adrian College Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. The Maples should have one of their best teams in years this upcoming season. Adrian returns highly recruited players senior running back Undra Peterson (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) and senior defensive end Dylan Farrington (6-5, 230). Other top returnees for the Maples include senior wide receiver Jarrod Dillon (6-6, 195) and senior center Adam Barker (6-3, 260). Adrian returns all five starters on the offensive line. Last year, the Maples beat Dexter 21-14. Adrian lost in the Division 3 state district final to Chelsea 24-14 last season.
On Sept. 5, the Dreadnaughts host Ypsilanti Lincoln at 7 p.m. in their home opener. Dexter beat the Railsplitters 42-13 last year. A season ago, Lincoln finished 0-9.
In Week 3, Dexter travels to Ann Arbor Huron for a game at 7 p.m. Last year, the River Rats ended up 4-5. The Dreadnaughts haven't played Huron since losing 35-0 in 1999.
On Sept. 19, Dexter hosts Saline at 7 p.m. The Hornets, 5-4 a year ago, beat the Dreadnaughts 28-21 in 2007. Saline returns one of the state's best linebackers in senior Matt Price (6-3, 235).
On Sept. 26, Dexter travels to county rival Chelsea for a contest at 7 p.m. Last season, the Dreadnaughts lost to the Bulldogs 21-16. Chelsea (11-1), ranked No. 1 for most of the season last year, lost in the Division 3 state regional final to East Lansing 24-16. The Bulldogs return one of the state's top junior running backs in Nick Hill (5-9, 180). Hill already is drawing interest from Division I schools, including Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan.
On Oct. 3, Dexter hosts Ann Arbor Pioneer at 7 p.m. Last season, the Dreadnaughts defeated the Pioneers 36-14. Ann Arbor finished 3-6 last year.
In Week 7, Dexter hosts Tecumseh at 7 p.m. Last year, the Dreadnaughts lost to the Indians 38-21. Tecumseh lost 46-14 to Chelsea in the first round of the Division 3 state playoffs last season. The Indians return one of the area's best performers in senior running back-safety Zach Galloway (6-4, 210). Tecumseh was 6-4 a season ago.
On Oct. 17, Dexter visits Temperance Bedford for a game at 7 p.m. Last year, the Dreadnaughts defeated the Mules 38-19. Bedford ended up 3-6 last season.
To close out the regular season, Dexter travels to Ypsilanti for a contest at 7 p.m. Ypsilanti, a member of the Michigan Mega Conference's Blue Division, is the Dreadnaughts' only nonleague game in 2008. Last year, Dexter lost to Ypsilanti 26-21. Ypsilanti lost to Carleton Airport 39-34 in the first round of the Division 3 state district playoffs.
In the last two years, the Dreadnaughts are 7-11 overall. In the last four seasons, Dexter has a mark of 15-21.
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