After football games Chelsea football fans serenaded Dexter players with taunts of “Happy Birthday” after every victory.
When Chelsea romped 41-20 over Dexter in 2021, fans sang “Happy 26th birthday” because the game marked Chelsea’s 26th consecutive victory over Dexter. The fans were silent the following year because Dexter finally beat its bitter rival 45-0.
Chelsea might be the best rags to riches in the history of Michigan high school football. The Dreadnaughts not only lost to Chelsea, but they lost to everybody else on their schedule. From 2013-2018 Dexter lost 42 consecutive games.
Now Dexter is a state power thanks to head coach Phil Jacobs. It carries a 10-1 record into Friday’s regional game against Gibraltar Carlson (11-0). Since ending its 42-game losing streak Dexter is 43-19 and has made the state playoffs five of the last six years.
He was named Division I and II Coach of the Year in a polling of Michigan sports writers in 2022.
Dexter Superintendent Chris Timmis hired Jacobs because he viewed him as a great teacher when the pair worked at Adrian High School.
Jacobs gives credit to his strength and conditioning coach Chris Whittaker. Many of the boys he coached had pencil arms and bird legs. They were not conditioned to hang with Ann Arbor Skyline, Chelsea and Saline.
The beatings came swiftly and frequently.
So how do you change a culture? At Dexter it began in the weight room where players gained confidence with every set. The Dreadnaughts were bigger, stronger and much faster than South Lyon, a team it beat 41-27 in last week’s Division II District final.
“We have a great coaching staff,” wide receiver Cole Novara said. “We believe in them.”