Central’s Dileo Key to Michigan Victory

Central’s Dileo Key to Michigan Victory

From Hooper Rd. To Parkview to Ann Arbor, Mich., Dileo Makes Mark

ANN ARBOR — The University of Michigan football roster includes an unusual entry — one of the players lists his hometown as “Greenwell Springs, LA.”  It is Central’s Drew Dileo who led Parkview Baptist to a 3A State Championship before accepting a scholarship to play for the Michigan Wolverines.

Last Saturday, Dileo made national news by leading Michigan to an excited 12-10 victory over arch-rival Michigan State.  Dileo, the son of Mike and Melanie Dileo of Central, caught four key passes for 92 yards and set up the Wolverines’ winning field goal.

Dileo was coached at Parkview by David Simoneaux, who is now assistant coach at Central High.

Here is the report on Dileo’s performance from the Detroit Free Press:

“Without Dileo, there would be no Paul Bunyan Trophy, 12-10 win over Michigan State or last-second, game-winning heroics.  He was the one who caught four passes for 92 yards, each one a monster, and caught every long snap, positioning all four field goals perfectly. ‘Drew is not the biggest guy, he’s not the fastest guy, but the one thing Drew is, he’s a football player,’ coach Brady Hoke said.  That’s the ultimate compliment from Hoke, who shows it in the many ways he uses Dileo. In crucial passing downs, on the holds, on return teams. Whenever the game is on the line, he’s a trusted player.  Clearly, quarterback Denard Robinson trusts him. On a second-quarter third-and-6 for a 22-yard gain. On a second-quarter third-and-11 for 15 yards. On a first-down, 35-yard catch to set up a field goal, also in the second.  Then, when U-M needed 20 yards to get into Brendan Gibbons’ field-goal range on the final drive, Dileo caught a 20-yard pass. U-M spiked the ball, and most of the offensive players left the field — except Dileo.  That’s when he went to hold for Gibbons and the field goal they’ll never forget. ‘We knew their DBs didn’t really cover once the quarterback started scrambling, so I just got open, he found me, he made a good ball, and I caught it,’ Dileo said.  MSU coach Mark Dantonio agreed. ‘They’ve got some other great players, but I think the guy’s a gamer,’ he said. And he showed that out there.’”

Photo supplied by University of Michigan


 

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