Was it a “test” or “challenge” or “assessment” or a chance to gauge where this football team is at heading into the main course of the regular season? It was probably a little of all of the above for the Dexter football team, but what it turned out to be wasn’t a test or challenge or assessment but a confirmation of what everyone associated with this team already knew – this is a very good football team and it’s going to take a very, very good football team to even compete with them for four quarters.
Bedford might be a good team but Dexter is a better team – on every level – and the Dreadnaughts proved it Friday night with a convincing 27-6 win over the previously undefeated Kicking Mules. And Dexter did it on the road, proving their talent travels.
Bedford came into the game outscoring its opponents 72-27 but the Dreadnaughts dominated on both sides of the ball. The Kicking Mules have reached the playoffs six consecutive seasons.
Dexter running back Cole Cabana had another impressive game for the visiting Dreadnaughts. The senior and University of Michigan commit finished with 173 yards rushing on 20 carries. He scored three rushing touchdowns on runs of 1, 68 and 6 yards and caught a 27-yard TD pass.
Reeves Taylor faced his first big “challenge” of the season and the senior responded with a strong effort and equally as important built some confidence for the next challenge. The senior completed 15 of 19 passes for 133 yards and the TD to Cabana. He did throw his first interception of the season but he continues to get better every time he steps on the field.
Brennan Parachek had another big game for Dexter. The senior receiver had four receptions for 55 yards and also had a 13-yard run on a fake punt. Joey Tessmer had four grabs for 25 yards.
Dexter’s Nate Baughman had an interception in the second quarter.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Dreadnaughts turned a 72-yard drive into a 7-0 lead on Cabana’s 1-yard run. With 3:54 left in the first half, Cabana’s diving catch in the end zone pushed Dexter’s lead to 14-0.
On the second play of the third quarter, Cabana went 68 yards to give the visitors a 21-0 lead just 25 seconds into the second half.
Down three scores, Bedford went for it on fourth down and the Dexter defense responded with another big stop. Cabana then scored from six yards out to make it 27-0.
Bedford finally scored to cut the lead to 27-6 with over 6 minutes to play in the third quarter. After the Kicking Mules converted a fourth-down attempt deep inside Dexter territory, they fumbled – and lost not only the ball but any chance for a comeback.
The Kicking Mules returned an interception to the Dexter 12-yard line but again the Dreadnaughts kept the home team out of the end zone.
Dexter (3-0 overall) will host Lincoln on Friday night. The Railsplitters fell to 1-2 on the season with a 42-7 loss Friday to Saline.
