Schools
Fall Sports Preview: Brian Baird Leads Dexter Football Program to Victory in Season Opener
With a new head coach, the Dreadnaughts set their sights on a first-ever playoff berth.
A new chapter in Dexter football kicked off Friday, when Brian Baird coached his first game as head of the Dreadnaught program.
Baird got off on the right foot, leading Dexter to a season-opening 24-17 win over Fowlerville. Baird said the team is hoping for a repeat performance on Thursday against Ann Arbor Skyline High School.
Baird replaces Tom Barbieri, who led Dexter’s program for the past 10 years. Barbieri, who coached for 33 years at multiple schools, was recently inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
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This is Baird's his first varsity head coaching opportunity, although he has 22 years of football coaching experience. Previously, Baird was freshmen head coach at Berkley High School, a freshmen and junior varsity coach at Maywood Proviso East High School in Illinois, freshmen head coach at Lombard Glenbard East High School in Illinois, varsity assistant coach at Milford High School and junior varsity assistant and head coach at Dexter.
Baird said he will stress consistency and discipline.
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“We will play fast and take care of the little things that will lead to success,” he said. “Our mission is to develop men of character and integrity that will embrace the concept of team first while developing the attitude of the servant leader.”
Dexter finished 5-4 last season. The Dreadnaughts have never qualified for the state playoffs. To qualify for the state playoffs, a team needs to record six wins. Baird said a strength of this season’s Dexter team is its experience and desire to improve.
“We are a senior-dominated team,” he said. “They have been through a varsity season and just missed the playoffs. They have a goal and are working hard to reach it.”
Returning to lead the Dreadnaughts offensively this year is senior quarterback Mike Mioduszewski (6 foot 4 inches, 215 pounds). One of the best signal callers in the area, Mioduszewski is a college prospect in football and baseball. He’ll have one of the area’s top wide receiver combos to throw to in seniors Jay Lewis (6-0, 175) and Jake VanHoof (6-2, 170).
Protecting Mioduszewski up front and opening holes for Dexter’s running backs will be senior center Tucker Whitley (6-3, 260) and tackle Edward Reny (6-4, 255), each of whom is among the best in the area at his position.
Baird said Dexter will run a balanced attack offensively.
On defense, Baird said the Dreadnaughts will be a multiple-front team.
“We will attack and force an (opposing) offense to make quick decisions,” he said.
Anchoring the defense in the trenches will be Whitley and Reny, while at linebacker Dexter returns standout seniors A.J. Korte (5-8, 170) and Ryan Kimball (6-2, 210). In the secondary, Lewis and VanHoff will man the cornerback spots.
Newcomers looking to make an impact this season for Dexter include senior middle linebacker/fullback Jake Haviland (6-2, 195), senior halfback/linebacker Jake Stegemann (5-8, 160) and junior linebacker/offensive guard Andrew Grafton (6-2, 210).
Baird said an area of concern heading into the 2011 campaign is learning how to win and staying healthy.
“Depth is also a concern,” he said. “Also, we have to change the mentality of our program from hoping that we will win to believing that we will win.”
Dexter Football 2011 Schedule
Aug. 26 at Fowlerville, W, 24-17
Sept. 1 vs. Ann Arbor Skyline, 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 at Ann Arbor Huron, 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 vs. Adrian, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 at Lincoln, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30 vs. Tecumseh, 7 p.m.*
Oct. 7 at Ypsilanti, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14 vs. Chelsea, 7 p.m.
Oct. 21 vs. Pinckney, 7 p.m.
*Homecoming
