Ann Arbor Skyline Halts Dexter's Momentum in First Loss of Season

Momentum is the name of the game in high school sports. This was never more evident than during Thursday’s Dexter football home opener versus Ann Arbor Skyline.

With no time left on the first half clock, Skyline senior quarterback Andrew Copp fired a strike over the middle to junior wide receiver Jack Clark for a 20-yard touchdown pass. The extra point by senior kicker Seth Goldstein propelled the Eagles to a 21-12 lead entering the halftime locker room and sparked the visiting Eagles (2-0) to go on to defeat Dexter 42-12.

Even more crushing to Dexter was the fact the Dreadnaughts (1-1) had scored with 54 seconds left in the first half on a 5-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Mike Mioduszewski to wide receiver Jacob Van Hoof. Though the two-point conversion pass fell short, Dexter had trimmed Skyline’s lead to 14-12. And with the home crowd on its feet cheering, momentum was definitely on the Dreadnaughts’ side – until the end of the second quarter.

“It was a big momentum shift, especially when you’re playing in a hostile environment,” said Skyline coach Rod Jones. “The guys came up big and we were able to score. We were able to get the momentum swinging back in our direction.”

Dexter first-year coach Brian Baird said the Dreadnaughts had no one to blame but themselves for the Eagles’ late first half touchdown.

“It was our job to stop them,” he said. “He (Copp) threw a good ball.”

Copp threw plenty of good balls Thursday. On Skyline’s opening drive of the game, Copp found senior receiver Jordan Woods behind the Dexter defense for a 32-yard touchdown pass. With Goldstein’s extra point kick, the Eagles led 7-0 with 9:54 remaining on the first quarter clock.

The Dreadnaughts answered right back, however, as Mioduszewski scored on a 32-yard quarterback keeper around right end. The extra point attempt was wide right, making the score 7-6 Skyline with 7:10 left in the first quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff, Woods returned the ball 83 yards for a touchdown. The speedy wideout, who’s being recruited by numerous Division I schools, started left on the return, before reversing his field and out-running the Dexter defenders to the end zone. With Goldstein’s point after touchdown kick, Skyline increased its advantage to 14-6 with 6:47 remaining in the first quarter.

With 54 seconds left in the second quarter, Mioduszewski hooked up with Van Hoof on a 5-yard touchdown pass. The 10-play drive covered 88 yards in 2:42.

With the Dreadnaught home crowd screaming at the top of their collective lungs, Copp hit Clark with the 20-yard scoring pass as time expired in the first half.

To begin the third quarter, Dexter came out hitting on all cylinders. The Dreadnaughts drove down to the Eagles’ 10-yard line before stalling. On fourth down and 14 from Skyline’s 14-yard line, Mioduszewski threw an incomplete pass, ending Dexter’s drive and turning the ball over to the Eagles on downs.

Eighteen plays and 86 yards later, Copp scored on a 5-yard quarterback draw. The 9-minute drive culminated on Goldstein’s successful extra point kick upping Skyline’s lead to 28-12 with 10:22 remaining in the fourth quarter.

With 5:57 left in the game, Skyline senior halfback Jake Hirschl scored on a 29-yard run. Goldstein’s point after touchdown was good giving the Eagles a 35-12 advantage.

With 38 seconds remaining on the clock, Woods returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown. For the game, Woods scored three touchdowns, all in a different fashion. Woods, besides his interception return, scored on a pass reception and a kickoff return for Skyline. Off of Wood’s interception return for a score, Goldstein split the uprights for the night’s final margin.

Jones, a Detroit Henry Ford and University of Kansas graduate, who played in the NFL for six years, said what’s been most important for Skyline this season has been its overall effort on and off the field.

“The guys kept fighting tonight,” he said. “We want to get the guys to believe. We’re working hard. I keep telling the kids I believe in them. Sometimes kids just need a hug. They need to know someone believes in them and is committed to them. I see greatness in these young men. I just need for them to see it in themselves.”

Baird said his squad came out strong early, but couldn’t hold on in the end.

“We couldn’t finish at the beginning of the second half,” he said. “We made some crucial mistakes. Our kids don’t expect to win yet. They’re still hoping to win.”

Despite the setback, Baird said his team would regroup.

“Our kids were fired up to play,” he said. “They’re playing for each other. They’re not playing against themselves. We’re still 1-1. It doesn’t matter if we lose by one point or 100, we’re still 1-1.”

Skyline next travels to Chelsea for a game at 7 p.m. Sept. 9.

Dexter next visits Ann Arbor Huron for a contest Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. On Sept. 16, the Dreadnaughts will host Adrian at 7 p.m. Prior to its game against the Maples, Dexter will named in honor of longtime football manager Henry Thurston.