Friday night lights burned bright across Monroe County on November 14, 2025, as two high-stakes regional championship football games delivered a feast of offensive fireworks and emotional moments. In Division 2, the No. 2-ranked Gibraltar Carlson Marauders hosted the No. 3-ranked Dexter Dreadnaughts in what many anticipated would be a classic shootout. Meanwhile, in Division 5, Jefferson squared off against Michigan Center, treating fans to another scoring bonanza. Both games, played as part of the Monroe County Region football playoffs, lived up to the hype and then some.
At Carlson High School, the air was thick with anticipation. The Marauders, riding high on a season that saw them average well over 40 points per game, faced a Dexter team equally potent on offense. The stakes? A Division 2 Regional title and a step closer to the coveted state championship. What followed was nothing short of a heavyweight brawl, with both offenses trading blows and defenses scrambling to keep pace.
From the opening whistle, it was clear neither team would be able to slow the other down for long. Dexter, known for their aerial attack, found plenty of room to operate against a Carlson defense that struggled to contain the pass. On the flip side, Carlson’s ground game, anchored by senior running back Izaiah Wright, consistently gashed the Dexter front seven. The scoreboard operator barely had a chance to catch a breath.
Dexter’s senior wideout Cole Novara put on a show for the ages, hauling in four touchdown receptions. His chemistry with the Dreadnaughts’ quarterback was undeniable, and time and again, Novara found space behind the Marauders’ secondary. According to MediaNews Group, "Dexter senior Cole Novara (3) had four touchdown receptions in the Dreadnaughts' 56-42 road win at Carlson on Nov 14, 2025." Each score seemed to sap a bit of energy from the home crowd, but Carlson refused to go quietly.
On the other side, Izaiah Wright ran with the heart of a champion, notching four rushing touchdowns and keeping Gibraltar Carlson within striking distance. As reported, "Senior running back Izaiah Wright (5) had four rushing touchdowns for Carlson in their 56-42 loss at home vs Dexter on Nov 14, 2025." Wright’s relentless effort was matched by quarterback Trent Ison, who also found the end zone and orchestrated several long drives. The Marauders’ offensive line, featuring the likes of Josh Beach and Teegan Nagy, opened up running lanes and gave the backfield a fighting chance against Dexter’s aggressive defense.
Yet, for every punch Carlson landed, Dexter had an answer. The Dreadnaughts exploited mismatches in the secondary, with Mason McAllister and Jake Stepaniak making key plays to keep drives alive. Gibraltar Carlson’s defense, led by the likes of Gabe Dobry and Wiliam Simpson, did their best to stymie Dexter’s attack but could not find an answer for the Dreadnaughts’ precision passing game.
The game unfolded as a true offensive showcase, with both teams trading touchdowns deep into the fourth quarter. But as the final minutes ticked away, Dexter managed to pull ahead for good, ultimately sealing a 56-42 victory and punching their ticket to the next round. For Gibraltar Carlson, the loss stung all the more as it marked the end of a remarkable season. The Marauders, ranked No. 2 in Division 2, had hoped for a deeper playoff run, but on this night, Dexter proved just a bit too much to handle.
"The further you get into the MHSAA playoffs, the bigger the battle typically becomes, and a battle Friday night at Carlson High School was a big one," wrote Samantha Elliott for MediaNews Group. She continued, "Each team had trouble slowing down the other’s offensive strength. Dexter had trouble stopping the run, while Carlson had trouble defending the pass. But when all was said and done, it was the visiting Dreadnaughts on the winning side of the 56-42 affair to end the season for the locals from Carlson."
While the Division 2 clash commanded much of the spotlight, the Division 5 Regional final between Jefferson and Michigan Center was an equally electrifying affair. Jefferson, led by quarterback Luke Beaudrie, unleashed a relentless offensive assault en route to a 71-45 victory. Beaudrie not only orchestrated the attack through the air but also made plays on the ground, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities. Time after time, he found the end zone, much to the delight of the Jefferson faithful.
Drake Jones and Grant Hakeos provided ample support, with Jones breaking off several big runs and Hakeos making his presence felt on both sides of the ball. Hunter Barton and Keegan Stefko also contributed key plays, ensuring that Michigan Center never found its footing defensively. Jefferson’s ability to spread the ball around and keep the defense guessing proved decisive.
Michigan Center, for their part, fought valiantly and managed to put up 45 points, but the Jefferson offense was simply unstoppable. The game quickly turned into a track meet, with both teams racing up and down the field and the scoreboard spinning like a slot machine. By the time the final whistle blew, Jefferson had firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in Division 5, advancing to the next stage of the postseason with momentum and confidence.
The two regional finals on November 14, 2025, offered a vivid reminder of why high school football holds a special place in the hearts of communities across Michigan. For Gibraltar Carlson, the end of the road came sooner than hoped, but not for lack of effort or heart. Dexter’s victory was a testament to resilience, execution, and the ability to perform under pressure. Meanwhile, Jefferson’s offensive explosion signaled that they are a team to watch as the playoffs march on.
As the dust settles on a wild playoff Friday, fans across Monroe County are left with memories of big plays, dramatic swings, and the kind of passion that defines high school football. Dexter and Jefferson move forward, their championship dreams still alive, while Gibraltar Carlson and Michigan Center look back on seasons filled with grit and determination. The postseason rolls on, and if these games are any indication, the best may be yet to come.