Jack Redlin, Racine Raiders
Defensive back Corey Dalton is entering his second season with the Racine Raiders and is coming off a stellar season where he totaled 29 tackles, two interceptions, and two kick return touchdowns while only appearing in eight games.
Before joining the Raiders midseason in 2023, Dalton played for multiple different semi-pro teams. The first team that Dalton played for was the Midway Marauders where he spent three years playing before joining the Illinois Cowboys for three games during the 2023 season.
Before joining the Cowboys, Dalton already had thoughts of joining the Raiders but was skeptical about taking the long drive twice a week for practice and games. It only took a little convincing from other Raiders players such as Andre Locke, Sr. and Bibby Davis, who are from the Chicagoland area, to finally get Dalton on board.
“A few of the guys that are currently on the roster that came from Chicago really opened my eyes to come play for Racine,” Dalton said. “Then when I got there, coach Wilbert and the rest of the staff welcomed me with open arms.”
As well as players convincing him to join, Dalton already had hopes of joining the Raiders due to their organization as a whole.
“I just love the culture and the way it’s ran,” said Dalton. “It actually makes you want to play semi-pro; the fans, the gameday environment, the way practices are run.”
Off the field, Dalton is a youth football coach for the Hazel Crest Mustangs. He originally joined the Mustangs for a season in 2018 but rejoined before the 2023 season. Dalton is proud to share his insight on the game and help carve a positive path in life for the youth. A large reason as to why Dalton coaches is the value he believes it brings to the youth.
“Youth football can teach kids early life lessons,” Dalton stated. “Discipline, confidence, and a winning mentality where no matter what they do in life they always work their hardest to achieve the goal.”
As well as value for the youth, Dalton also believes there is value in coaching youth sports.
“The value of coaching football for me is just watching each kid get better,” says Dalton. “They are all on their different paces on learning the game, but I enjoy watching my players developing. Just to know these young boys look up to me to teach them and make them better motivate me even more to make sure they become the best athlete they can be.”
Dalton’s dedication to success is apparent on-and-off-the-field, from coaching youth football to putting together a stellar season in his first year with the Raiders. Dalton aims to improve not only on-the-field with the Raiders this season but also off-the-field in his time coaching.
PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Olsen, MyEyes Photography
