MITCHELL — They may have “KERNELS” emblazoned across their chests on Friday nights, but according to the Mitchell High School football coaching staff, Mick Dailey and Parker Denne are more like two peas in a pod.
With ample similarities in their physical traits, personalities and mannerisms, it can sometimes be difficult to tell the pair apart. Dailey, a senior, is listed at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds and wears No. 21, while Dailey, a junior, checks in at 5-10, 185 pounds and wears No. 20. Even down to the cut and color of their hair, there aren’t many dissimilarities to be found.
“They’re truly two peas in a pod,” said head coach Pat Larson, crediting the first use of that phrasing to describe the pair to defensive coordinator Zack Clement. “They’re similar in a lot of ways; both fun-loving guys but quieter than you may think. Of course, they share a lot of traits athletically, too.”
Mitchell’s Mick Dailey (21) celebrates after a Kernels touchdown during the MHS Homecoming football game against Spearfish on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at Joe Quintal Field.
Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic
Such natural similarities have made it easy for Dailey and Denne to bond, with some of the strongest ties through sports, first in the hockey rink and, more recently, on the football field for the MHS varsity squad.
Dailey starts by calling Denne his best friend, before Denne goes a step further, saying they’re like brothers. It’s that same manner of one-upping that spurs constant friendly competition between the two and allows them to push each other.
“Every drill, we’re always going against each other, always competing,” Denne said. “At the end of the day, we’re still brothers, but when we’re on the field or on the ice, it’s game on, and we’re always making each other better.”
Sharing the backfield on offense and anchoring the linebacking corps on defense, the Dailey-Denne duo is at the center of MHS football’s identity this season, and both are hopeful they can serve as a catalyst for elevating the Kernels’ program.
As MHS attempts to make a late push into the Class 11AA postseason picture, the coaching staff has looked toward Dailey and Denne to further increase their leadership roles. After a Sept. 8 loss to Pierre, Larson recalls Clement pulling the pair aside for a conversation.
“‘If you two are tight with each other, start bringing some guys up with you,’” Larson recalled Clement saying. “I think we saw the results of that because they played their best games of the season and brought the rest of the team up with them (against Aberdeen Central on Sept. 15 and Spearfish on Sept. 29).
“That’s what’s really fun. The pod is getting bigger, and we’re putting more peas inside of it,” Larson continued. “It’s not just the two of them doing their thing thing. They’re trying to bring more and more guys along and continue to raise their level.”
Mitchell’s Parker Denne (20) carries the ball during a Class 11AA high school football game against Spearfish on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at Joe Quintal Field.
Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic
On the gridiron, Dailey and Denne have been among the Kernels’ most productive individuals in 2023.
Denne leads MHS in rushing (336 yards) and receiving (253 yards) and has scored five of the Kernels’ seven offensive touchdowns this season, adding an 87-yard interception return for a touchdown on defense. Meanwhile, Dailey leads the team in tackles and tackles for loss and ranks second on the team in rushing (181 yards), third in receiving (100 yards) and has a passing score to his credit.
They play off of each other so well, and they’re a fun one-two punch to have,” Larson said.
The duo was at its best in the Kernels’ 35-28 Homecoming victory over Spearfish, combining to have a hand in all five Mitchell touchdowns and accounting for 251 yards of the team’s 278 total.
“We come with a lot of energy, and we’re always playing right next to each other. We’re both fired up, and we lean on each other a lot, and I think that shows in games,” Denne said. “We’re both just trying to make plays and help each other out. It doesn’t matter which one of us gets the ball, we’re going to be running as hard as we can and the other is going to be blocking as hard as they can.”
Mitchell’s Mick Dailey (21) carries the ball during the Kernel Bowl Class 11AA high school football game against Aberdeen Central on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at Joe Quintal Field.
Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic
Athletic successes aren’t limited to football, either, as both have continued to share an affinity for hockey and are stalwarts within the Mitchell Marlins program. But their relationship reached a new level last fall, when a mid-season injury to Dailey suddenly thrust Denne into a leading role within the Kernels’ offense.
“Jumping into a varsity running back position about a quarter of the way through the year as a sophomore wasn’t the easiest,” Denne recalled. “I didn’t know many of the plays to start, but Mick definitely helped me along and gave me guidance all the way through it. And that’s helped me a lot this year.”
Last season, Denne finished with more than 300 yards of total offense and two touchdowns, setting up for what has been his breakout campaign. A year on, it’s clear Dailey’s efforts off the field have helped both Denne and himself produce this season playing side-by-side with one another.
“I’m just glad (Denne) got those opportunities because he’s having a great year,” Dailey said. “It’s awesome practicing with him because he always brings the energy and that makes it fun. He’s a funny guy and just a good dude.”
As leaders within the Kernels’ locker room, Dailey’s and Denne’s styles are as complementary as their play on the field.
Dailey credits Denne for making sure everyone on the team feels included and being the model teammate in addition to his leadership role. On the other hand, Denne lauds Dailey for being vocal at the right time and going out of his way to lift up others.
“Mick isn’t afraid to speak his mind, and when he does, people listen,” Denne said. “He’s also willing to take guys under his wing and is good at directing people, so I think he’s a very good leader.”
While Dailey and Denne are both intense competitors, their joint approach to leadership takes on a more relaxed tone.
“We approach leadership in a good-humored way,” Dailey said. “We try to have fun with everything, even if it means not being serious some of the time.”
It’s a style that Larson believes has helped the Kernels throughout the season, saying he believes MHS continues to show signs of improvement every week. Currently standing on the outside of the Class 11AA playoff picture looking in, MHS occupies ninth place in the class ahead of two critical Eastern South Dakota Conference games against sixth-place Huron and 10th-place Brookings to end the regular season.
Perhaps now more than ever, the Kernels will be looking to Dailey and Denne to deliver — both on and off the field.
“It’s been cool to see their relationship grow,” Larson said. “They’ve done a lot of good stuff for us, and they will continue to lead us.”
2023-10-11 12:00:25
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