Photo by Daniel Gretzner
The Dearborn High Pioneers open their 2013 season Aug. 29 under new head coach John Powell.
Dearborn High School has something new this fall. John Powell is the new head coach of varsity football for the Pioneers. He takes over from long-time coach David Mifsud, who departed after last season.
Powell will lead his DHS squad to what he, students and alumni hope to be another winning season. It all starts on Aug. 29 when the Pioneers meet Clinton Township Chippewa Valley at 4 p.m. at Wayne State University in a Kickoff Classic contest.
Where did the new head coach come from? Powell was promoted from within the system. He started his coaching career in 2001 as an assistant at Fordson High School. Eventually, in 2011-12, Powell became an assistant grid coach for the orange and black at DHS.
Before a practice last week, Powell spoke about the coming season.
“We return 11 starters from last year’s team, a number of others who played large roles on the 2012 squad and a (junior varsity) team that was 9-0 last year,” he said.
“Last year we were 7-4. We beat Fordson in the first round of the playoffs only to lose to eventual state champ Cass Tech in the second round. Our goals are to win the Western Wayne Athletic Association Blue Division title and get into the state playoffs once again.”
The Pioneers are led by a trio of returning three-year starters. Bearooz Yacoobi anchors the line and is a standout defensive tackle. Standing 6 feet 6 inches, 275 pounds, he can do plenty of damage to the opposition.
The other parts of that trio are Bryce Norwood at safety and Eric Hansen doing the kicking and punting.
Yacoobi already has committed to a football scholarship at Northern Illinois, a Mid-American Conference team.
After the season-opener, big games on the Pioneers’ nine-game schedule are Fordson at home Sept. 27 and Edsel Ford on the road Oct. ll.