Brendon Valerio and the Dexter Dreadnaughts have kept things in perspective and focused on the important things during the team’s 7-0 run this season. They have played with confidence without being cocky, they demonstrate toughness within the guidelines of the rules and they play the game the right way.
They also play the game for the right reasons. Valerio, a talented senior linebacker, proved it when he talked about the team’s incredible success this season and their goals moving forward.
“We are playing the rest of the season for our brothers, seniors Corey Baker and Brayden Visel, who are both out for the season with injuries and were starters for us,” Valerio said earlier this week. “We have a reason to win. They deserve it and we want to win it all for them.”
Dexter’s success is based on team performance. Sure, they have some stars but everyone on the field contributes, whether on offense, defense or special teams. Let’s take the defense, for example. In last week’s game with Monroe, Brennan Parachek – one of those stars – led the defense with 11 tackles. But four other players recorded six or more tackles – Sophomore Owen Wondrash and senior Niko Michos (eight), freshman Nathan Gersh (seven) and senior Daniel Delduca (six). Also, Gerzon Herter had an interception and Brock Komaromi and Sean White each had two tackles for loss.
The week before against Huron, six different Dreadnaughts had eight or more tackles in the win over the River Rats. The proof is on the field – and the stat sheet.
The Dreadnaughts have a big game coming up on Friday with the Saline Hornets, who lost their first game of the season last week to Bedford. A win will lock up the SEC Red title for Dexter.
“The win over Monroe has given us some confidence heading into Friday’s game especially with seeing that (Saline) lost to Bedford,” Valerio said. “We will be spending the week studying a lot of film so we can be ready for what they like to run. We will do everything we can to help prepare us mentally and physically for this game.”
Valerio says preparation and hard work have been keys to their success this season. “We watch film before practice and run through our basic stuff throughout the week and also go through some of the plays that our opponent that week likes to run,” says Valerio, who admits that they prepare so well that there have been times that they know exactly what play is coming – which, obviously, is a big advantage.
The Dexter defense also has a special bond and features a group of players who have grown up together and are close on and off the field. “There are a bunch of guys who have been close our whole lives so we have each other’s back on the field,” Valerio says. “We all play together. We play as brothers.”
The defense has a good mix of youth – such as sophomore Owen Wondrash and and freshman Nathan Gersh – and experienced leaders – such as Brennan Parachek, Nate Baughman and Niko Michos.
“As a linebacker I try to help the defense as a leader out there,” Valerio says. “But we are all leaders. We set the tone on the field. It’s important to set the tone with a couple hard hits right off the bat to show the other team what to expect and that you are ready to go.”
Valerio became a starter early last season after an injury to one of the senior starters in week two. He’s been a starter and key contributor ever since.
“I adjusted pretty quick last year,” he said. “We have a lot of depth and there are a lot of guys who can fill in right away. We all practice hard so if needed, guys can come in and get the job done. We make sure that everybody knows what they’re doing.”
Valerio also wrestles for the Dreadnaughts and is looking forward to his senior year on the mat. He wrestled at 171 last year but will probably move up a weight class this year. “I’ve wrestled since seventh grade and have always enjoyed it,” he said.
Valerio, who moved to Dexter from Ypsilanti when he was 5 years old, would like to move again after high school and play at the college level. “I’ve been talking to schools and have a few offers,” he says. “But right now I’m focused on school and preparing for each game as we head towards the end of the season. We first want to win the SEC and then we want to win a ring. As a team we have a lot of weapons and a chance to win it all if we keep working hard.”
