There is something on the peripheral that makes big plays big plays. And it has to do with momentum. While Dexter’s 56-13 win over Huron appears to be an easy victory based on the final score, there were two plays in the first half that were crucial in the Dreadnaughts’ SEC victory on Thursday night at Al Ritt Stadium.
The first big play came on the Dreadnaughts’ first possession of the game. Dexter was facing a third and 23 from their own 43-yard line when Ronny Johnson busted one down the right sideline for a 57-yard TD run to make it 7-0. You don’t need to pick up the first down when you run it into the end zone.
The second big play came in the second quarter. Down 14-0 already, Huron was moving the ball before deciding to go for it on fourth down on Dexter’s side of the field. Huron QB Brandon Willis threw a perfect pass to WR BJ White near the goal line but Dexter defensive back Mason McAllister made a great play to knock the ball away. Three plays later, Dexter pushed the lead to 21-0.
SEE WLAA-D PHOTOGALLERY – 110 PHOTOS
Now if you take away those two plays would Dexter still have won the game? Maybe. Probably. Depending on your point of view. But it’s hard to factor in how momentum and confidence would have played into it.
With or without these plays, Dexter’s win was very impressive no matter your point of view. And it seems the Dreadnaughts are back on course following a loss at home to Saline in week two. They have all but eliminated costly penalties and even turnovers, are playing with a serious and determined focus and appear to be having a lot of fun – which is easy to do when you are winning.
The Dreadnaughts have won their last two games by a combined score of 112-26. And for the second game in a row, the offense looked like they could have scored at any time. Rarely did they even face a third down in the win over the River Rats and the big offensive line was giving QB Cooper Arnedt all day to throw and Johnson huge holes to run through.
SEE WLAA-D PHOTOGALLERY – 110 PHOTOS
Johnson’s 57-yard run gave Dexter a 7-0 lead with 10 minutes left in the first quarter. The senior RB made it 14-0 on a 1-yard run with 56 seconds left in the quarter to make it 14-0. The big play on that drive was a spectacular catch by Gabe Rychener – you may not see a better one all year. How the senior was able to bring it in after it bounced not only in the air a few times but off of DB D’Real Smith as well is anyone’s guess (see the photo sequence HERE).
After getting the ball back on downs, Arnedt started the drive with a nice pass to Jaiden Juback along the sideline. One player later, the senior QB hit Cole Novara over the middle for a 30-yard TD pass and it was 21-0. Dexter went 70 yards in just three plays.
A 1-yard run by Johnson made it 28-0.
Johnson added TD runs of 30 and 10 yards in the third quarter. Mason McAllister scored on a 2-yard run to finish the scoring for the home team.
Johnson had another monster game. After scoring four TDs in the blowout win last week over Bedford, the Northwestern commit reached the end zone five times on Thursday night. He gained 223 yards on 13 carries against Huron after rushing for 179 yards against the Kicking Mules.
Jack Votaw had 5 carries for 25 yards.
Arnedt was 8-11 passing for 181 yards and a TD. Novara had 5 catches for 101 yards and a TD; Juback had one catch for 40 yards and Rychner had the one amazing catch for 38 yards.
Trey Kuhr made all the extra-point attempts for the Dreadnaughts.
Dexter (3-1 overall) faces Skyline next week in an SEC matchup. Huron defeated Skyline 37-20 last week. The River Rats will face another strong team in undefeated Saline.
SEE WLAA-D PHOTOGALLERY – 110 PHOTOS
