What is it with sports and the number 26?
Well, check this out!
In 1976-77, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost 26 games in a row – the longest losing streak in NFL history. The longest losing streak in Major League Baseball history came way back in 1889 when the Louisville Colonels lost, yes, you guessed it, 26 consecutive games.
On Friday, Oct. 21, 2022 in Chelsea, Michigan, the Dexter Dreadnaughts varsity football team ended the school’s losing streak of 26 consecutive games to the Chelsea Bulldogs with a 45-0 victory before a packed house in a game never in doubt.
Dexter finishes the regular season at 9-0 overall, won an SEC Red Division title and are the No. 1 ranked team in the state in Division 2. They will open the state playoffs on Friday with a home game against an opponent to be decided during Selection Sunday.
“It’s an indescribable feeling,” said Dexter Coach Phil Jacobs after the historic win. “To go 9-0, win the SEC, and beat Chelsea on their home field convincingly feels great. We are the No. 1 team in the state and we showed it tonight. We played convincing football in all facets of the game. It wasn’t hard to keep their heads in the game because they wanted to win this so bad and we did it the right way.”
While running up 45 points on the Bulldogs on their field – the second most Chelsea has allowed this season – was impressive, what really stood out is the other number on the scoreboard. Chelsea never got in the red zone, let alone on the scoreboard.
“Our defense is unbelievable,” Jacobs said. “To get a shutout tonight was just unbelievable. We are averaging around 10 points allowed this year which is fantastic. A big shout out to our defensive coaches headed by George Michos. They put together a great defensive plan every week and our players bend but don’t break – and tonight we didn’t even bend.”
The Dexter Dreadnaughts defeated Chelsea 16-5 on Oct. 6, 1995 – it would be the last time Dexter won this neighborhood rivalry until Friday night. The Bulldogs, who had won 26 in a row, now have lost one in a row. It’s a start.
And what a start for Dexter on Friday night. The Dreadnaughts took the opening kickoff right down the field and scored a touchdown on their third offensive play of the night. QB Reeves Taylor tossed a screen pass to Joey Tessmer and the senior wide receiver went 21 yards for the score with 10:54 left in the first quarter.
A 4-yard run by Cole Cabana pushed Dexter’s lead to 14-0 with 11:23 left in the second quarter. The drive included a fourth-and-eight conversion by the Dreadnaughts.
With 7:17 left in the first half, Cabana caught a 15-yard TD pass from Taylor to give the visitors a 21-0 lead.
They weren’t done scoring in the first half. After Gerzon Herter just missed a 43-yard field-goal attempt in the final seconds of the half, Chelsea was called for a penalty. Herter, who converted all of the extra points on Friday night, drilled a 38-yard field goal with no time left on the clock to send Dexter to halftime with a dominating 24-0 lead.
Cabana busted a 73-yard TD run with 8:36 left in the third quarter to give Dexter a 31-0 lead.
A great defensive play by Brennan Parachek, who rushed the quarterback and instead of sacking him, reached around and knocked the ball out and Dexter recovered at the Chelsea 24-yard line. Taylor then threw a 4-yard TD pass to Parachek to give Dexter a 38-0 lead with 7:11 left in the third quarter.
With 1:14 left in the third quarter, Cabana scored again – this time on a 12-yard TD run for the final points of the game.
The fourth quarter featured a running clock and a very excited Dexter sideline and student section. The Dreadnaughts celebrated the win and the end of the losing streak with plenty of smiles, hugs and especially class. It was a perfect night for football – especially for the entire town of Dexter that made the short trip west to Chelsea.
Football: Jacobs delivered the plan and the players have executed it – to perfection
