Macomb Township

Starting strong

By Brad D. Bates
C & G Sports Writer

Photo by David Schreiber Macomb Dakota senior quarterback Mark Morris holds off Muskegon junior defensive tackle Jordan Mitchell during the Cougars’ 23-20 win Aug. 26 at home.

Dakota football tops Muskegon, set for 2010

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Heading into the season opener Aug. 26 at home, there was no shortage of motivation for the Macomb Dakota football team.

The Cougars arguably  returned their most talented roster since winning back-to-back state titles in 2006 and 2007, and defeated Muskegon High, which has won six state titles and 397 games, 23-20.

So to say the 2010 opener was bigger than most is a safe assumption.

“This is the biggest opening game I’ve ever had,” Dakota coach Mike Giannone said. “I’ve really never seen a game with an atmosphere like this one had.”

While the atmosphere and hype surrounding the game — at which a banner hanging above tunnel appropriately read “Best of the Best; East meets West”— was special, the play on the field didn’t disappoint. The game featured four lead changes and a game-winning, fourth-quarter 23-yard field goal.

“It was huge playing a team that’s won more state titles than years that we’ve been a school,” Dakota senior quarterback Mark Morris said, slightly overstating the Big Reds’ achievements, as Dakota has been open for 15 years. 

Morris was one of several Cougars who had to prepare for added playing time against Muskegon, as he took snaps on offense, defense and special teams.

“We’ve been practicing for this since the beginning of August,” Morris said. “We knew who would need to be at which position, so we were ready.”

Morris played in the secondary and returned kicks in addition to his usual quarterback duties.

Senior running back Brandon Hughes, who also lined up at linebacker, and senior lineman Bernard Taylor, who played the entire game, also had expanded roles.

“You’ve got to keep your mind focused on the game,” Hughes said of how he kept from being overwhelmed by the hype of playing multiple positions against Muskegon.

“And once you hit the field, play your game. You can’t think about anything else.”

The Cougars showed both their versatility and their ability to hurt opponents in all facets of the game, particularly special teams.

Senior kicker Kris Selita led the special teams unit, booting three field goals — a long of 44 yards — and sailed every kickoff through the end zone, which took the Big Reds’ return unit out of the game.

“He should be kicking for Michigan right now,” Muskegon coach Shane Fairfield said of Selita. “(Touchbacks) take a huge element of our offense away with field position. If you put us at the 20 every time, that’s huge.”

Along with proving themselves against a top opponent, the Cougars also gained plenty of confidence as they get set for the 2010 Macomb Area Conference Red Division season opener at 7 p.m. Sept. 2 at home against Romeo High.

“They were one of the toughest teams we’ve played,” Taylor said of Muskegon.  “They were very tough guys and real physical.

“This game gives us a lot of confidence. We beat a team that was ranked in the nation, and that makes you feel good about yourself. Now, we just need to stick with what we do and keep working hard.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Brad D. Bates at bbates@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1029.