Brighton High School’s football team has turned its offseason into a laboratory of teamwork, staging intense intrasquad competitions that range from foosball tournaments to coordinated conditioning drills. The Bulldogs are using these activities to cement chemistry before the new campaign begins.
A Hall of Fame Coach Returns
Coach Brian Lemons, who guided the Bulldogs through a challenging 2025 season, was honored in February with induction into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, a testament to his lasting impact on the program.
The 2025 schedule dealt the team a series of setbacks, including a Week 8 loss to Howell, a Week 9 defeat against Dearborn Fordson, and a district finals exit at the hands of eventual Division 1 champion Novi Detroit Catholic Central.
Key Returners Ready to Lead
Among the returning starters, quarterback Dominic D'Agosta has added 35 to 40 pounds through a disciplined diet and strength program, reshaping his physique for greater durability. Dominic Nauss, a wrestling standout who placed second in the state at 190 pounds, previously amassed 1,489 yards and 18 touchdowns on the gridiron.
The Bulldogs also count on offensive tackle/defensive lineman Jack Carlson and defensive tackle Graydon Tomblin, both of whom bring valuable experience to the line of scrimmage.
With a half‑dozen returning starters and several seasoned backups, the roster offers a deep talent pool that the coaching staff believes can shift the team’s preseason KLAA ranking from second place to a legitimate championship contender.
The offseason agenda emphasizes physical improvements, reinforced teamwork, and a disciplined approach designed to erase the memory of last year’s losses and position the Bulldogs among the state’s elite.