MACOMB TOWNSHIP -- Coach Mike Giannone of Macomb Dakota knew his players would have a bull's-eye on their backs after the Cougars won the Division 1 title last season. Each opponent was going to take its best shot at the Cougars, and the first one came Thursday.

Sterling Heights Stevenson struck first and led, 7-0, but that was it for the Titans. Dakota scored the game's final 31 points in a 31-7 victory in a Macomb Area Conference Red Division opener at Dakota.

Terrence Shelby, who replaced Greg Gay (Grand Valley State) at running back, rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. Mitch Lovett, a senior quarterback, is making the most of his opportunity with the graduation of James Stallons (Wisconsin) as Lovett was 10-for-15 for 87 yards and a touchdown.

Even with the losses to graduation, Dakota hasn't missed a beat.

"We might be more advanced at this time than we were a year ago," Giannone said. "Our defense is set. Without bragging, our kids believe in themselves even more now that we won it."

Coming into the season there was little doubt that receiver/defensive back Rodney Hush was Dakota's big playmaker, but it's also becoming obvious he's not alone.

You can add Shelby, Lovett and Kyle DeMaster, for starters. DeMaster returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown and had an interception. On Dakota's first play from scrimmage in the second half, DeMaster, lined up as a receiver on the left, threw a 34-yard pass to Hush on a reverse to the 6-yard line. Three plays later, Shelby scored his first touchdown on a 1-yard run for a 17-7 lead.

"They ran it against us last year and scored," Hush said of the reverse pass. "We figured we'd run it against them and although we didn't score on it, we did later.

"Everybody is pumped this season. We all talk about that we have a target on our back. We like it that way."

Hush, who also punts and returns kicks, finds so many ways to make plays to give his team a chance to win. His 43-yard punt pinned Stevenson back on its 2 late in the third quarter. On the ensuing play, DeMaster recovered a fumble and ran 15 yards for a touchdown and a 24-7 lead.

Hush didn't play the fourth quarter after suffering an injury to his left knee, which he iced down. He said afterward he thinks it's only a bruise and he'll play against Utica Eisenhower next week.

Statistically, Dakota dominated the first half in every way possible except on the scoreboard. The Cougars led, but precariously, 10-7.

"I was a little concerned," Giannone said. "You keep shooting yourself in the foot with a young team. I liked the leadership I saw in the locker room at halftime. Carlos Garza and Jack Raymond on the offensive line, but it all starts with the quarterback. Mitch overthrew a couple early, then settled in."

Dakota ran 40 plays to 12 for Stevenson in the first 24 minutes. The Cougars had 12 first downs to one for the Titans and had 169 yards to 73 for Stevenson. The time of possession was 19:13 for Dakota to 4:47 for Stevenson.

Stevenson quarterback Jason Fracassa was 5-for-11 for 122 yards and one touchdown, an 82-yarder to Jerome Rucker. He threw two interceptions and was sacked six times.

"We tried to loosen them up early and we did," Stevenson coach Rick Bye said. "But we couldn't sustain anything. On offense you're stressing because you don't have it a lot."

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