Cole Cabana's three touchdowns leads Dexter football past Ann Arbor Huron

DEXTER, MI. – The undefeated Dexter Dreadnaughts (6-0) defeated the Ann Arbor Huron River Rats (3-3) in a narrow 21-14 victory that featured Dexter running back Cole Cabana rushing for three touchdowns, including a last-minute game-winner.

The Dreadnaughts looked to continue their undefeated season by avenging their 2021 loss to the River Rats, where they fell 28-21.

The River Rats, opposite the Dreadnaughts, entered this game on a three-game winning streak, coming off a dominant 40-0 victory against the Monroe Trojans.

Three takeaways from the game:

Both defenses were incredible.

This game was close. If not for a holding call that negated a 52-yard touchdown, we could be discussing the River Rats as today’s victors.

This game was a tale of two halves. Both halves were dominated by defensive suffocation, capped off by a last-minute touchdown, which sealed the game for the Dreadnaughts.

The Dreadnaughts shut out Huron in the first half, allowing only a handful of first downs. The highlight of this defensive shutdown came at the end of the second quarter, where the battle-tested Dexter defense continuously stopped Ann Arbor at the goal-line, including a blocked field-goal attempt to end the half.

The second half saw the River Rats mount a comeback, which featured stifling defense, holding the Dexter offense to minimum success. Huron's best moment came following a momentum-changing fumble that led to a 14-14 tie late in the fourth.

Both defenses forced their opposition into dire situations, which led to a nail-biting finale with Dexter scoring the aforementioned last-minute touchdown. However, the story of tonight’s game was the defensive dominance showcased on both teams.

Cole Cabana had a gutsy performance.

Three touchdowns, with one being a game-winner, is the story of Cabana’s performance tonight. When his team needed him most, he stepped up and delivered. While the Ann Arbor Huron defense slowed Cabana down throughout the second half, he was able to put together a game-winning run to avenge the Dreadnaught’s 2021 loss.

Before the slow second half, Cabana began the game with success early and often. He Started the game with a 40-yard opening play and quickly scored his first touchdown within a handful of touches.

His number was seemingly called every other play, and those efforts resulted in the team's victory. Cabana put together a team-MVP performance.

Huron was good, Dexter just found a way to win

Dexter did plenty of things right, finding a momentum-swinging groove in the third quarter, where quarterback Andrew Harding threw six straight completions and rushed for a touchdown. Their defense played phenomenal, and their offense found success despite the hostile Dexter home-crowd environment.

Dexter’s final drive succeeded during the game’s most critical moments, going over 60 yards, concluding with a five-yard run by Cabana. That touchdown was enough for Dexter to win, but this game was a back-and-forth affair from start to finish.

Coach Said

Dexter head coach Phil Jacobs was elated following the hard-fought victory.

“It feels tremendous, I feel happy for our kids especially because of the time, and commitment they’ve put in since last November. It’s such an amazing feeling.” Jacobs said.

When discussing the team's sluggish second half, Jacobs admits he had his concerns.

“We were without our three key players the entire second half, but we found a way to do it.” he said. “We put the ball in our best player’s hand and he found a way. Our kids did a heck of a job blocking on that last play and I’m proud of their efforts.”

Who is next?

Following this game, the Huron River Rats (3-3) will return home to play against Skyline High School (0-5).  Dexter High School (6-0) will face Monroe High School (2-4) at Monroe.