This is the first in a series of teams we cover at Friday Night Victors. We’re just looking at the schedule and highlighting a few games. Season predictions will come in August. We’re starting at the beginning of the alphabet, so that means Airport is up first.
All schedule analysis was done by Frank Vajcner. You will find his football knowledge is pretty darn good.
Schedule:
Aug 23 Monroe
Aug 30 @ Grosse Ile
Sept 7 New Boston Huron
Sept 14 Jefferson
Sept 21 @ Riverview
Sept 28 Flat Rock
Oct 5 SMCC
Oct 12 @ Milan
Oct 19 Tecumseh
Gut-check Game: at Riverview. The Jets battled the eventual Huron League champs hard for three quarters last season, before the Pirates pulled away for a 51-28 win. Some think that Airport is a dark horse in the Huron League, and a Week 5 trip to Riverview is the best chance for them to prove their worth. This could be a potential Game of the Week if both teams are at least 3-1.
Trap Game: at Grosse Ile. The Jets open Huron League play with a trip to The Island in Week 2. Both teams were locked in a defensive struggle in their last meeting, before the Jets prevailed 14-8. Both squads are considered sleepers in the conference, and this will be the game that determines who’s a pretender and who’s a contender.
Snoozer: The easy thing to do would be to put Jefferson here, but the Bears are expected to be much better. Plus, the Jets escaped Marc Cisco Field 23-22 last season. No snoozer here.
Non-con Challenge: Monroe. This will be the first ever meeting between the Jets and Trojans. Like Airport, Monroe is looking to take some steps forward in their conference. This is a sneaky good game to watch if you’re looking for a good Week 1 game.
Notable: Monroe will be the first SEC-Red opponent to play the Jets since 2010, when Airport played Bedford.
Final Analysis: Jim Duffy’s team lived on the edge in his first year, as six of Airport’s games were decided by six points or fewer. This is a year to take another step forward (and away from that edge). There are plenty of opportunities for the Jets to prove their worth in the Huron League, with road trips to Grosse Ile, Riverview, and Milan, as well as a home game vs. SMCC. This is a team that is capable of making the postseason, especially if they can avenge close losses to New Boston Huron and Milan.
Thoughts from Chris: I think the schedule is really a non-issue for the Jets, but I am a bit surprised that they went after Monroe High. The Jets have shown over the years that they can compete and win the Huron League. Airport has stars and talent on offense, but will have to find a way to stop people if they plan on competing for a league title or making the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
Thoughts from Gary: Airport is a real wildcard in the league this year. The talent is there in the backfield and wide out positions. Can they find the horses up front? Can they tighten up on defense and win a 14-13 game? If the answers are “yes”, Airport can finish in the top half of the league. If the answers are “no”, it may be a long season for Coach Duffy and his Jets.
Next Up: Bedford
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This team will be athletic. Size is definitely lacking but they have two good returning starters on the offensive line, one is a three year starter. Going to have to find some guys to play up front on defense but their defensive backfield should be solid..
Lots of views on this analysis right out of the gates. Easily has tripled any other schedule analysis that we have done so far. Lots of fans of high school football and the blog in Carleton. Wish we could get some insight on the team this year. Maybe people forget the Jets were one of the darlings of the blog from 2009-2012.
Is the jury still out in Duffy and the Jets?
Bigger school playing in a tougher league. That is why Monroe is favored vs Airport.
Somebody please explain to me when Monroe became a world beater. You guys make it sound like they are gonna smash Airport. I mean come on its not like Airport is playing Orchard Lake St Mary's week 1. The jury is still out on Monroe's coach he's 7-11 after 2 seasons.
I have heard that Airport is going to the shotgun spread offense next year. Knowing that and their average defense, here is my predictions, I hope I am wrong
Aug 23 Monroe- LOSS in an ugly 1 sided game. Why stop playing Dundee smh
Aug 30 @ Grosse Ile- TOSS UP but with it at GI , I will say a LOSS
Sept 7 New Boston Huron- WIN
Sept 14 Jefferson- As much as I would like to see the Bears win, I see this as a Jets W
Sept 21 @ Riverview- LOSS
Sept 28 Flat Rock- This will be a great game, with the Jets at home, I will give them the nod in a close one- WIN
Oct 5 SMCC- LOSS
Oct 12 @ Milan- LOSS
Oct 19 Tecumseh- WIN
I see the Jets finishing 2018 with a 4-5 record, maybe 5-4 depending on if they can pull out a win at Grosse Ile. Tecumseh and Flat Rock will not be gimme games. The trap game is definitely Jefferson who will always play Airport hard. Good luck Jets
@11:55 but their only loss was to GIjv :)
Frank great job.. don't forget Airport won the JV Huron League in 2016
When can we expect to see more of the player profiles to be released?
Nice breakdown guys. Yes that GI game is a definite trap game, going to the island is almost never easy. Plenty of talent on offense, but like you said the season will be determined by how much the defense has improved. EM
Ideally once a day, but quite frankly (Vacjner) they are all done. I guess you'll just have to check back early and often. ;)