“Lights Out!”
That’s how Dexter defensive back Grant Goodrich describes the Dreadnaughts’ defensive unit. And they have left more than a few opponents in the dark during this incredible 2023 run. It was “lights out” for Bedford, Pioneer, Skyline and Monroe as the Dreadnaughts pitched shutouts against those SEC opponents in the regular season.
Dexter, which allowed just nine points in its playoff opener last Friday at Allen Park, will face Carlson on Friday in the second round. The Marauders have a strong offense and scored 42 points last week in their opener against Livonia Churchill.
Goodrich plays safety on the defensive side of the ball for the Dreadnaughts and is making the most of his first full year on varsity. Only a junior, Goodrich played freshman football as a ninth grader and played both JV and varsity last year as a sophomore.
He’s not only been a steady and consistent player in the defensive backfield, but he’s had some huge moments. In the SEC season-opener at Saline back on Sept. 1, Goodrich intercepted CJ Carr, not once, but twice. Carr, the grandson of former U-M Coach Lloyd Carr, has committed to Notre Dame.
“My highlights so far this season are the two picks against Saline and really just having fun with the team and laying some big hits,” says Goodrich. “We want to do even better than last year and show everybody that we set the new standard at Dexter.”
The new standard has included six consecutive playoff appearances, including last year’s run to the State Semifinal game.
“Our strengths this year include the connections we have on and off the field,” Goodrich says. “Our team is like a family.”
And family looks out for each other – on and off the field.
Goodrich didn’t start playing safety until the week of the first game and was a natural from the first snap. He has 48 tackles (including nine in the win over Allen Park) on the season and leads the Dreadnaughts with 4 interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
“Since then he’s been our starting safety and has become the quarterback of our defense,” said Dexter Defensive Coordinator George Michos. “We play with one safety so we put a lot of pressure on that spot. He has taken ownership of it and has gotten better every week. He’s also one of our hardest workers, in the weight room, at practice, and in the film room studying the other team. He plays with a lot of passion and is the type of guy you love coaching and having on your team.”
Grant, the son of Sharon and Trey Goodrich, enjoyed football compared to other sports because he loved “the contact and freedom within the sport.” And he couldn’t wait to play for the Dreadnaughts.
“Last year was great,” he says. “I was on the JV team and we had a good season. Varsity was great and we had an amazing season.”
This year started off with two losses to very good teams – but the Dreads knew they would find their winning ways in week three. “The practice after (the Saline loss in week two) was tough because those were games that we didn’t want to lose,” he said. “But we knew that we were a good football team and we needed to get ready for the next week.”
They responded by winning their next two games by a combined score of 100-0 and a six-game winning streak.
Goodrich says his short-term goal is to help the Dreads make a deeper run in the playoffs than last year.
And longterm? “I want to play at the next level with a team that wins and just keep enjoying the game,” he says.
Sounds like what he’s doing right now.
Football: A look at Dexter’s upcoming playoff game with Gibraltar Carlson
