Late Surge Propels Lenawee County to Victory Over Monroe in All-Star Football Clash

ADRIAN – Brian Dopp quickly found his footing in an unfamiliar setting. The recent graduate from Adrian Madison took on the role of quarterback for Lenawee County during an All-Star Game against Monroe County at Adrian College on Friday, June 19, 2026. With no former teammates by his side, Dopp showcased his adaptability, throwing for 179 yards and a touchdown while connecting with five different receivers, leading his team to a 27-22 triumph. His performance earned him the title of Most Valuable Player for Lenawee.

“I didn’t have any of my Madison receivers,” Dopp noted. “I had to learn the routes for other guys.” Coach Erik Johnson from Britton Deerfield recognized Dopp's potential early in practice. “I saw it on the first day of practice,” he remarked. “He has a quick release and can really wing it.” For Dopp, this marked the end of his football career as he prepares to play baseball at Saginaw Valley State next year. “This was special,” he shared, reflecting on his passion for the game. “Even though I will be playing baseball in college, I wanted one more chance to enjoy the Friday night lights. This was a really fun game.”

Lenawee County celebrated its first victory over Monroe in the three-year history of the All-Star Game, thanks in part to Dopp's leadership. After Monroe took a 7-6 lead with just over three minutes left in the first half, Dopp orchestrated two quick touchdown drives. The first drive, lasting just over a minute, featured passes of 22 and 26 yards, culminating in an 8-yard touchdown pass to Caden Kubacki from Britton Deerfield.

With Monroe unable to move the ball on their next possession, Dopp capitalized with a 33-yard connection to Tecumseh's Jacob Barrie, which set up Jamari Blue's 4-yard touchdown run. This effort propelled Lenawee to a 20-7 lead at halftime. “It was great in the locker room at halftime,” Dopp remarked. The team extended its advantage to 27-7 in the third quarter with an 11-yard touchdown run by Braylon Zimmerman of Adrian. Though Monroe rallied with two late touchdowns, they fell short in their comeback attempt. Johnson concluded, “This was a really good experience.” Kubacki emerged as the top receiver with three catches for 77 yards, while Barrie added two receptions for 59 yards. Declan Cornish of Tecumseh contributed with two field goals and three extra points.