By Alan Ashley
This week is rivalry week, Dexter versus Chelsea on the gridiron at Jerry Niehaus Field.
Normally, the only time you see my name on Chelsea Update is when is says “Photos by Alan Ashley”. Reflecting on this rivalry, I thought I would write about my unique perspective on it.
I spent the first 8 years of my life in Chelsea. I still remember the names of some elementary school classmates; I doubt any of them remember mine.
After 3rd grade, my family moved 7 miles … to Dexter. Yes, that dreaded rival that many schools called the “Doughnuts”. Chelsea, in turn, was called the “Bullfrogs”.
For years, Dexter never had a great football team. When I went to school, more people showed up for the home football games to watch the marching band, in which I played. My senior year, the band not only performed a pregame and halftime show, but also played a couple songs on the field for post-game just to keep fans in the stands.
The football team finished with a 2-7 record that year. The team was so bad, that one game the band was already on the sidelines to take the field afterward. Dexter had the lead late in the game, deep in its own end of the field. The quarterback scrambled on a play and was getting close to the end zone for a safety. The entire band was about to run onto the field and tackle the quarterback because he was ignoring the screams to “take a knee.” True story.
Everything comes full circle because years later, I returned to Chelsea to buy a house, get married and was blessed with a son. He would follow in my footsteps and play in the marching band. Now I would attend the rivalry games as a Chelsea fan and as a field photographer.
This year, Chelsea is the defending Division 4 State Champions. Dexter is 7-0 and won its first league title in 59 years last Friday. Dexter also is looking to break a 26-year losing streak to Chelsea.
Dexter hopes that its “Mr. Football” finalist, running back Cole Cabana, can put an end to the streak. But like another rivalry game next week (MSU/Michigan), statistics, records, and history mean nothing.
On paper, Dexter may look to have an edge, but the game is played on a football field by young, athletic men.
In this rivalry, forgive me for being a little divided. I have a history with both schools. I started watching this rivalry as a DHS marching band member and alumni. Now I follow it as a media photographer and the father of a CHS alumni. I hope both teams play their best, injuries are at a minimum, and excellent sportsmanship is shown.
No matter the outcome, I think even Chelsea would like to see Cole Cabana win Michigan’s “Mr. Football” award.
Even if he does play for Dexter, their dreaded rival.
