DEARBORN — The long-standing athletic rivalry between Dearborn High School and Fordson resumes on Friday at 7 p.m. at Fordson, and this year, the Mega Red Divisional Championship could be on the line.

But another championship is also on the line that might be even more important to the players, despite its lesser overall status in the eyes of outsiders: the city championship.

Dearborn players Jad Ajami, right foreground, and Bader Elder, left, watch the offense practice on Wednesday in preparation for their game against Fordson. Photo: Khalil AlHajal/TAAN

“I think this is our whole season right here,” said Fordson linebacker/fullback Abdullah Homayed. “If we beat Dearborn, that’s a good season. If we go 1-8 it’s a good season for us, we can lose all our games and beat Dearborn, that would still be a good season.”
While coaches on both sides have discouraged those kinds of quotes all season long, they tend to leak out during the week of the big game because they’ve been on the minds of the players all season.

Homayed elaborated on why the rivalry is so important to him and his teammates.

“This is very, very important, especially because in Dearborn you get bragging rights,” he said. “A lot of us are friends with guys on the other side, you know, but for the city this is a big game because it’s east side versus west side.”

“People are going to talk about this game for the next year.”

People are definitely still talking about last year, when Fordson beat Dearborn 16-14 for their first win against the Pioneers since 2003. The win set off jubilant celebrations for Fordson fans who had been frustrated with the losses.

This year, Fordson enters the game with a 6-0 record and is considered to be one of the best teams in the state with numerous college prospects on the roster.

Dearborn has played well this season also, however, with their only loss in six games coming at the hands of undefeated league power Southgate Anderson by a score of 25-22 in week three.

The game is just as important on the Dearborn side of things.

Pioneers cornerback Jad Ajami talked about his history with the players on the other side.

“In middle school we went to school with them.”

Outside linebacker Bader Elder has a similar history.

“We started playing football with these guys when we were little, and it’s bragging rights. We just hate each other.”

Pioneers head coach Dave Mifsud talked about what his team will need to do to come out with a win on Friday.

“I really believe we are going to need to win the time of possession battle to win the game,” he said. “Last year their defense really stepped up and made us stall.  We only had something like 32 offensive plays last year and that really hurt us, and it really put the pressure on our defense.”

The Pioneers lost star quarterback Anthony Mifsud to graduation but he has been replaced by two capable players in Khalil Hazime and Michael Hatcher. Hatcher is more of a runner and Hazime is more of a thrower but both are skilled in each of those areas.

The strength of the defense is the linebacking corps led by tackling machines Nores Fradi and Nabih Saad.

Homayed will be charged with blocking the linebackers in Fordson’s rushing attack, which is led by Hassan Amen and Ali Alaboody.

Much like Dearborn’s quarterback tandem, the Fordson running backs each have different strengths, with Amen the power runner and Alaboody the speed back, although both are excellent all-around players.

Quarterback Ali Baidoun has become “a leader on the field” for Fordson according to head coach Fouad Zaban, and he has the luxury of throwing to rising star receiver Baquer Sayed on the outside.

The defense is also strong with Homayed leading the way at linebacker and defensive tackle Jamal Agemy shutting things down on the inside.

While Fordson comes into the game with one of its best all-around teams in recent memory and as the prohibitive favorite, Zaban knows his team will need to play one of its best games to win. .Zaban talked about what the Tractors will need to do to keep their hopes of an undefeated season alive on Friday night.

“I feel we need to be focused and play hard for four quarters,” he said.  “Dearborn is a very skilled team.  They play hard and exhibit a lot of emotion. Above all they are well coached. We will have our hands full, that’s for sure.”

On the other sideline, Mifsud knows just how important the game is to the team and expects an electric atmosphere on Friday night.

“The winner gets bragging rights for the year,” he said. “This seems to be really important to the kids. The community seems to be really excited for this game. Traditionally, this game brings very big crowds. I think it is important that both sides of spectators remember good sportsmanship.”

Pioneers special teams player Hassan Bousi summed up the importance of the game in eight words that many players on both sides are sure to agree with.

“This is the biggest game of my life,” he said.              

Other action: Edsel Ford (5-1, 4-1 Mega Blue) at home vs. Highland Park, 7 p.m. Friday