The excitement surrounding Dearborn High School's football team has reached new heights with the emergence of junior quarterback Khalil Mosallam. In a thrilling matchup against Crestwood on September 3, Mosallam delivered a standout performance, leading his team to a 28-14 victory in their opening game of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) season.
The week leading up to the game was filled with anticipation, particularly due to the transfer of senior quarterback Ali Beydoun from Toledo Catholic Central to Crestwood. Beydoun, who has verbally committed to play at the Division II level for Findlay, had previously led his former team to back-to-back Division 3 championship games in Ohio. His arrival at Crestwood stirred significant interest within the local community, as noted by first-year Dearborn head coach Mike Bustamente.
“The city was going crazy,” Bustamente remarked, highlighting the close-knit nature of the community and the connections between the two schools. The Michigan High School Athletic Association granted Beydoun eligibility to play, adding to the stakes of the matchup.
While Beydoun was a focal point for Crestwood, it was Mosallam who stole the spotlight. With guidance from assistant coach Zeyad Hannon, Mosallam embraced the pressure and delivered a strong performance, throwing for 134 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for a game-clinching score late in the fourth quarter.
“Coach Z motivated us all because he told me that I’m the best quarterback in the city,” Mosallam stated confidently after the game. “We all agree with him. I know for a fact I’m the best quarterback in the city.”
Dearborn struck first, with a long scoring drive culminating in a rushing touchdown by junior Ali Saad. The Tractors quickly extended their lead to two touchdowns, thanks to another impressive drive that ended with Saad crossing the goal line again, aided by a defensive pass interference penalty against Crestwood.
Crestwood struggled to respond effectively in the first half, with a potential touchdown pass from Beydoun to Ali Farhat being nullified by a penalty. This setback led to a turnover on downs, allowing Dearborn to capitalize with a touchdown pass from Mosallam to Mehdi Kabbani, followed by a safety that gave the Tractors a commanding 22-point lead at halftime.
Throughout the first half, Crestwood managed just nine offensive plays, largely due to Dearborn's effective rushing attack, led by Saad, who finished with 99 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns. However, both Saad and Kabbani were sidelined in the second half due to cramping issues, prompting concerns from Coach Bustamente about maintaining their health for future games.
“Ali Saad, if we can keep him from cramping, that’s a different scoreboard,” Bustamente noted, emphasizing Saad's importance to the team's success. “That kid can move. He needs to be on everybody’s radar.”
In the second half, Crestwood began to find some success as Beydoun was forced to pass more frequently. However, Dearborn's defense, bolstered by an interception from Hadi Farhat, ultimately secured the victory. With this win, Dearborn improved to 2-0 in the KLAA, marking a promising start to the season under Bustamente, who is in his first year as head coach after previously serving as the offensive coordinator.
“I am a Dearborn High alum,” Bustamente said, reflecting on his commitment to the program. “The only reason I chose to take this job was to give them the experience that I got. That’s my sole purpose, to make them better human beings when they leave than when they come in.”
As the season progresses, the Tractors are focused on building a winning culture after finishing with a disappointing 4-5 record last year. Mosallam and his teammates are determined to foster a spirit of teamwork and discipline, ensuring that the previous year’s challenges do not repeat.
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