General | August 28, 2021 | 0:15

Cole Cabana got the Dexter offense to a quick start and the Dreadnaughts never looked back in a convincing 40-8 victory over Birmingham Groves Friday at the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State University.

It was the opener for both schools as Dexter (1-0) appears to be a contender in the SEC Red Division with Cabana and All-State candidate Brennan Parachek, a junior tight end/defensive end.

"My team, my captains and my quarterback had a heck of a game,'' said Parachek. "We played how we prepared. There are some things we need to clear up, but it was a great game. We have to keep fighting and getting better and keep winning.''

Cabana, a junior speedster and one of the state's top sprinters, took a handoff on the first play from scrimmage and raced 90 yards for a touchdown to get the Dexter offense off and running.

"It was a great start,'' said Dexter coach Phil Jacobs. "He's a kid you have to get loose. We knew they were going to key on him. He got loose on a sweep, and he made a nice cut back and he was off to the races.

"Our receiving corps, we need to spread the ball a little bit. That's one me, but our coaches put a great game plan together.''

Cabana finished the day with three scores to lead the offense and 132 yards rushing.

Groves didn't waste much time getting on the scoreboard when quarterback Cayden Hardy hit tight end Jack Wainer for a 26-yard score. Stavros Panos ran in the two-point conversion to give the Falcons an 8-7 lead.

It didn't last long.

Dexter quarterback Cal Bavineau hit Braeden Fuson with a swing pass and the receiver took it 54-yards down the left sideline for the score to give the Dreadnaughts a 14-8 lead.

Both offenses bogged down until Cabana pushed it in from a yard out on fourth down with 1:13 left in the first quarter to make it 21-8.

Micah Davis was the defensive star in the first half for Dexter with two interceptions, roaming the secondary.

"He's a kid…This was his first football game in high school,'' said Jacobs. "He's a junior and the kid can cover some ground. He has great closing speed and what a great addition to our defense.''

Said Parachek: "He had a couple of injuries in the past and this is his first year. He came back this year, had two interceptions and got some momentum for us early. He played a great game.''

Leading by 13, Nate Baughman got the second half off to a great start for Dexter, intercepting a Hardy passing and racing 35 yards for a score to make it 27-8.

Bavineau would eventually call his own number, outracing the Groves secondary for a 42-yard score late in the third quarter to make it 33-8.

Cabana added to his scoring total with 10:35 left in the game when his 21-yard run set up his two-yard TD to put the winners up 40-8.

Groves' offense suffered from three interceptions and some timely penalties that killed drives.