By John Raffel
It was close to 90 degrees during the 32nd annual Michigan Football Coaches Association All-Star Game, but quarterback Gabe Dean of Lowell didn’t mind.
Dean was 5 of 6 for 103 yards and one touchdown in the passing wars. He was the game’s leading rusher with 37 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
“There’s too much talent out there,” Dean said, referring to the East squad and his pre-game feelings that the score would be very tight. “What got us in the game was how we bonded over the week. In three days, we were all like best friends. There’s so many humble good guys on the team. No one thought they were better than anyone else.”
Dean shared the quarterback duties with Cooper Rush of Lansing Catholic, who was 10 of 12 for 241 yards and four touchdowns.
“We had a great week of practice and we meshed well,” Dean said. “The coaches were fantastic; they called an awesome came. Cooper Rush was pretty awesome at passing. I’m more of a runner. It’s such a learning experience. We have so much talent. It’s incredible to be a part of it as I go off to wrestling [collegiately.]”
It’s definitely among the top five experiences he’s had, Dean added.
As for the heat, “I don’t know what heat you’re talking about,” he smiled.
The game was played June 30 at Alma College. The West prevailed 59-7.
Other West all-stars included defensive back Anthony Goodman of Lansing Sexton and Ethan Rennaker of DeWitt
“I liked getting to know all the guys,” Goodman said. “We stuck with our technique and listened to what the coaches told us. We were prepared.”
A 59-7 win was surprising, though. “I knew we were going to win, but I didn’t know we’d win that big,” he said. “We were pretty confident the whole week. We started jelling. We had the confidence since day one.”
Goodman will be playing college football at Eastern Illinois University. Playing in the all-star game is a boost for his confidence, he acknowledged.
“We had to be aggressive, make sure the person stays in front of you, and know your assignment.”
“The hot weather had a little impact, had me a little tired, but it wasn’t really that big,” Goodman said, adding that this experience ranks as one of the top he’s had in his football career.
“Being around all the guys for a week,” is what Rennaker said was the highlight of the experience for him. “We were strangers and left as friends. But winning also helped out. We thought it’d be a dogfight all the way through, one or two touchdowns. We knew if we came out strong….
“It’s been a good moment,” Rennaker said. “I liked the experience and being able to play the game. It gives me a lot of confidence, knowing I can stick with the best.”