Dakota safety Abro boasts 3 TDs on interception returns

Returning one interception for a touchdown in a season is impressive.

But three? In a four-week span?

That’s just what Macomb Dakota’s Dimitri Abro has done this season, going 91, 99 and 101 yards for scores off interceptions.

“He’s had five interceptions, and three have been game-changers,” said Mike Giannone, Dakota’s coach for 17 years. “Sure, you see a kid do that, return one 90 yards for a touchdown once in a while, but it’s hard to do it twice, and he’s done it three times ... just amazing.”

Abro (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) began his run in Week 2 when he intercepted a pass and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown to put the finishing touches to a 42-21 victory over Chippewa Valley.

The following week against Warren Mott, Abro returned one 101 yards to open up a 27-7 lead.

Then in Week 5, what Abro believes is his biggest highlight, he returned an interception 91 yards to give Dakota a 14-0 cushion over Utica Eisenhower. Dakota won 21-14.

“The Ike game for sure was my highlight,” said Abro, a senior safety. “They were about ready to score and that pick buried them. We ended up beating them by a touchdown, so that was a big one, for sure.”

Eisenhower coach Chris Smith agrees.

“He’s a tremendous football player,” Smith said. “He had a pick-6 against us and it was a backhanded, one-handed interception, took it to the house ... He’s all over the field and he’s dangerous whenever the ball’s in the air in his area.”

And to think Abro didn’t have an interception his junior year.

But his senior season, that’s a different story.

And with a third consecutive MAC Red title wrapped up, Abro is looking ahead.

“We’re having a good year and we have high hopes,” said Abro, who was named homecoming king last week. “We just have great chemistry on and off the field and get great coaching each and every week.

“Our biggest goal is to win the state championship. We haven’t played our best game yet, so hopefully we’ll continue to get better.”

david.goricki@detroitnews.com

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