In a display of pure hometown pride, Dearborn took to the streets earlier this week, not to demand change or to protest – this time, the people were out for a victory march. Kicking off a Monday filled with fanfare, the 2025 Division 4 State Champion football team, the Divine Child Falcons, was honored with a Victory Parade and Awards Celebration put together by Divine Child High School and the City of Dearborn. The event, commemorating the team's success, went down with a reel of celebrations, including both a public procession and a private awards ceremony reserved for players, school staff, and their families.
The Falcons' State Championship win, their first since a heady victory back in 1985, was punctuated by a razor-thin margin of 23–22 against Hudsonville Unity Christian. According to the City of Dearborn's official announcement, Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud and a contingent of local officials joined in the festivities with an array of students, families, and supporters in tow. Mayor Hammoud was quoted in the release celebrating the triumph as reflective of "the heart and determination of the Divine Child community."
The parade itself turned into a spectacle, bringing out Divine Child's marching band, cheer and pom pom teams, and even players from different sports – a collective show of the school's athletic prowess. Local mascots Hooper of the Detroit Pistons and Nitro of the Motor City Cruise popped in for some action, sharing the limelight with The Parade Company's Big Head corps, as noted in the online gallery and video hosted on the City's official YouTube page. With big-time local sponsors like Les Stanford Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC and Ford Motor Company backing the event, the city turned the parade into a full-on celebration with both glitz and community spirit.
Head football coach Chris Laney, crowned the 2025 Catholic High School League's coach of the year, offered insight into the team's journey. He was notably quoted on the city's release, reminiscing about the season that brought them to glory: "Our team came into this season with something to prove. That bond, that willingness to fight together, is what carried us all the way to the state championship." Laney's pride and gratitude for the community support highlighted the significance of the win not just for the team but for the entire area. Moments in the stands, according to Laney, connected generations and showcased the staunch belief in these young players, an emotion clearly felt by fans and citizens alike, per the City of Dearborn.
