C.C. Thomas
Sports Scene
DETROIT — Gabe Dean’s last football game may not have ended the way he wanted.
But with what the Lowell senior accomplished in his three years as the starting quarterback, he will go down in Michigan High School Athletic Association history as one of the top signal callers ever to play the position.
Dean finished his career with over 12,000 total yards from scrimmage and a total of 143 touchdowns. Twice he was named Associated Press Division 2 all state, earning Player of the Year honors after a junior season when he scored 62 touchdowns.
Three times he led the Red Arrows to the Division 2 state finals, winning a state championship his sophomore season when his team beat Inkster, a team that was led by quarterback Devin Gardner, now a member of the University of Michigan team.
But it’s the two losses in the state title games, last year to Farmington Harrison, and last month to Brother Rice, that will stick with him more than anything.
“All those touchdowns and yards, I would give them all away if we could have won those two other state titles,” a tearful Dean said outside the locker room at Ford Field. “But I am so proud of our senior class and what they have accomplished. It’s been a great career for me, and a great run for the team.”
In that 24-14 loss to Brother Rice in the championship game, Dean played well at times, throwing for 190 yards and pair touchdown passes to fellow senior Luke Bigham.
But constant pressure by a swarming Warriors defensive line sacked Dean six times and forced him into three interceptions.
“They came ready to play,” Dean said. “They had a great strategy against us.”
Dean’s coach, and uncle, Noel Dean, acknowledged that Gabe and the rest of his team played hard but were just over-matched against an athletic Brother Rice team.
“They are a fantastic football team, and we knew that coming in here,” Noel Dean said. “We knew we would have a tough time matching up with them up front. We knew that they were athletic at the right positions and strong up front. This was not one of our strongest lines and had troubles up front. Our kids gave a great effort, but some days you have to tip your hat; when you are out-matched, you are out-matched.”
Now Noel Dean will have to coach without talented players like Gabe Dean, Bigham, Renn Osborne, Jordan Drake, Josh Addington, and Jake Stehley.
“Our program is proud of what these kids have done away from the field as much as on the field,” Coach Dean said. “We have been No. 1 in the classroom, and I believe we will be that again. And I believe they are No. 1 in community service. These boys have raised a million dollars to help fight cancer in our little town with our Pink Arrow Pride Project.”
For Gabe Dean, the game against Rice was his last football game ever.
A state champion wrestler as well, he will continue his athletic career as a Division I college wrestler for Cornell next year.
“I know [football] was going to come to an end,” he said. “I’ve been happy to play for Lowell, and grateful for the opportunities it gave me. It’s been a great time.”