Micah Davis is making up for lost time – and it’s clear he’s having a blast doing it.
After having to sit – often in a wheelchair – during his first two seasons of football because of a broken ankle, the Dexter senior has become one of the leaders of a defense that has been on a mission since the first snap of the season.
While the offense has grabbed many of the headlines with 127 points in the first three games, the defense has been equally impressive. They have allowed just 35 points, including just 14 in the last two games. They gave up just six points to a Bedford team that had scored 72 in its first two wins.
“We have an experienced defense this year compared to last year,” says Davis, a starting safety this season. “Last year we had a lot of guys playing varsity for the first time and this year we are mostly juniors and seniors with that year of experience. And it’s making a big difference.”
Davis, who has two interceptions this season, says the Dexter defense has a good combination of speed, athleticism, strength and football smarts. They don’t make many mistakes and have each other’s back out on the football field.
“We have a good balance and we help each other out,” he said. “We have players like Corey Baker on the defensive line who is really fast and can get to the ball. We have Nate Baughman at corner who is a great communicator on the field and is really smart. We just all mesh really well together.”
Davis, who also plays on special teams and even as a wide receiver on offense at times, says the atmosphere in the room is one of controlled confidence. And the confidence continues to grow with each victory.
“We are a lot more confident after the Bedford win because that was a big game for us,” he said. “They are really a good team. We are doing a good job of staying level headed because I think last year we may have been too confident and then Bedford beat us (in week three). We all remember that game and realize now that no game is going to be easy and we are going to have to play hard every week.”
Davis doesn’t take anything for granted. After missing two seasons, he cherishes every opportunity to play Dexter football and he’s not taking anyone – or any team lightly. And Crash Davis (Bull Durham) would be proud of his response to ending the losing streak to Chelsea or knocking off league power Saline.
“Right now we are focused on beating Lincoln,” he says. “The coaches and the leaders of our team are doing a good job keeping everyone focused on the next game and Lincoln is the next game.”
Davis didn’t play any games during his first two seasons at Dexter HS. He was slated to play varsity as a sophomore but broke his ankle right before the first game. It was the same ankle he broke as a freshman which cost him that entire season.
But last year he was back with a vengeance. Davis was All-SEC and All-State as a junior for the Dreadnaughts and is certainly on pace to repeat those two accomplishments. He also wants to keep playing at the next level – remember, he has some time to make up.
“I’ve gotten college offers from schools in all divisions, but right now I’m waiting to see if there are any other offers coming and then figuring out the best fit for me,” says Davis, who plans on studying nursing. Davis also runs track for Dexter and runs everything from the 200 to the 800. He ran at States the last two years.
The Dreadnaughts are 1-0 on their 2022 redemption tour. They lost 37-36 last year to Bedford and dominated the Kicking Mules 27-6 last Friday in Temperance. Huron would be next on the tour – following Lincoln and Pioneer. The River Rats, off to a surprising 1-2 start, defeated the Dreads 28-21 last year and will visit Al Ritt Stadium on Sept. 30.
Dexter faces Saline (3-0) on Oct. 14 and Chelsea (2-1) on Oct. 21.
Davis admits he’s excited for those games but they aren’t going anywhere. Those Friday evening games will be there when the time comes and the time now is get to those games playing their best football.
“I want to try and stay in the moment and enjoy each practice and each game and not look too far ahead,” he said. “This is my senior year and I want to enjoy every minute of it.”
He’s clearly enjoying every minute on the football field – and making up for lost time.
Football: Dexter rolls to 3-0 with dominating win over Bedford in SEC clash
