Five first half turnovers leading to 28 points helped spark visiting Adrian to a 40-28 win over Dexter Friday night at Al Ritt Field. The loss drops the Dreadnaught varsity football team to a 1-3 overall record.
“You can’t have five turnovers in the first half and expect to win,” Dexter coach Brian Baird said. “It’s disappointing. Our kids are working hard. They’re believing in what we’re trying to do. But Adrian capitalized on our mistakes.”
To begin the game, Adrian senior receiver Gage Lolley scored on a 59-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Sebastian Johnson. The extra point by Lolley was good giving Adrian (3-1) a 7-0 lead with 9:58 left in the first quarter.
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Dexter answered on its first series of the game as senior Jay Lewis hauled in a 33-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Mike Mioduszewski. With the score the Dreadnaughts cut the Maples’ lead to 7-6 with 8:06 remaining in the opening quarter.
After an Adrian punt, Maple senior linebacker Jared Nieto recovered a Dexter fumble on its first play from scrimmage. One play later, Johnson connected with junior receiver Hunter Hayes for a 21-yard touchdown pass. Lolley’s point after touchdown kick was good increasing Adrian’s advantage to 14-6 with 6:05 left in the first quarter.
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On the Dreads’ following drive, Maple junior defensive back Steve Gonzalez intercepted a pass. One play later, junior Isaac Gradeless scored on an 83-yard touchdown run. Lolley’s point after touchdown was good giving Adrian a 21-6 margin with 4:21 remaining in the first quarter.
Dexter responded on its ensuing drive scoring on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Mioduszewski to Lewis on a fourth and goal play. Mioduszewski’s two-point conversion run was successful, trimming the Maples’ lead to 21-14 with 22 seconds left in the first quarter.
Midway through the second quarter, Adrian senior defensive back Nick Amador intercepted the first of three passes on the night. Four plays later, Hayes caught a 5-yard touchdown pass on fourth and goal from Johnson as he was being dragged down by a host of Dexter defenders. With Lolley’s point after touchdown, the Maples upped their advantage to 28-14 with 3:26 remaining in the second quarter.
On the Dreadnaughts’ next drive, Amador returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown, increasing Adrian’s advantage to 34-14 with 2:11 left in the first half.
To start the third quarter, Mioduszewski found senior receiver Alex Mortensen for a 22-yard touchdown pass. Senior Dvon Newsham kicked the extra point bringing Dexter closer at 34-21 with 7:11 left in the third frame.
Adrian answered with a score as senior Marrcell Grayer hit pay dirt on a 21-yard run up the middle. With the touchdown, the Maples led 40-21 with 3:18 remaining in the quarter.
Mioduszewski closed out the scoring by scampering in from two yards out for a touchdown with 4:22 left on the fourth quarter clock. Newsham split the uprights on the point after touchdown for the night’s final 40-28 margin.
Despite the loss, Baird remained positive.
“The kids’ hearts are in it,” he said. “I felt our defense played well. We’ve never made the playoffs here at Dexter. Our mentality now is every game from here on out is a playoff game.”
The Dreadnaughts next travel to Ypsilanti Lincoln for a contest at 7 p.m. Sept. 23. The Railsplitters (3-1) are coming off a 26-12 win over Tecumseh.