Up next in Frank’s Schedule Analysis series is a team where Frank works as the Director of Social Media, as well as Public Address Announcer. Dundee was the hard-luck bunch last season. Can they turn the tables this year?
Schedule:
Aug 23 Ann Arbor Huron
Aug 30 @ Stockbridge
Sept 7 Hudson
Sept 14 @ Ida
Sept 21 @ Blissfield
Sept 28 Onsted
Oct 5 @ Brooklyn Columbia Central
Oct 12 Erie Mason
Oct 19 @ Hillsdale
Gut-check Game: Hudson. The reigning LCAA champs come to town in Week 3 to open up conference play. The Vikings had a lead in the second quarter at Hudson last season, but ultimately would fall 42-20. Much like Dundee, the Tigers will be breaking in some new players. If the Vikings can steal one at home, it could set the tone for the season.
Trap Game: at Hillsdale. If Dundee is able to reverse their fortunes from last season, they could be playing for a playoff spot in the final week. However, the same could be said for Hillsdale, whom the Vikings have defeated each of the last two seasons. The Hornets will be looking for revenge, and if there is a playoff spot on the line, buckle up.
Snoozer: Ann Arbor Huron went 0-9 last year, has lost 30 straight games, and is on their fourth coach in four years. Enough said.
Non-con Challenge: at Stockbridge. Kyle McElvany’s squad will face their first road test in Ingham County at Stockbridge. Despite going 1-8 last year, the Panthers have been known to throw the ball a ton. Will Dundee’s young offense be able to stay on the field and sustain drives in a hostile environment? A road win would be a huge confidence boost.
Notable: The Vikings will have one road game each in Monroe County (Ida), Lenawee County (Blissfield), Hillsdale County (Hillsdale), Jackson County (Brooklyn Columbia Central), and Ingham County (Stockbridge).
Final Analysis: Dundee may have went 3-6 last year, but could’ve easily been 6-3 or 7-2. Starting off strong in non-conference play will be key for the Vikings, as the LCAA is expected to be a meat grinder of a conference this year. It also doesn’t help that the Vikings face Hudson, Ida, and Blissfield in consecutive weeks, all of which are expected to be at or near the top of the standings. A young team will have to grow up fairly quickly.
Thoughts from Chris: This looks like a rebuilding year for a young Viking squad. That is never an easy task in the LCAA. The first two weeks of the season could set the tone for the entire season. Fast start, could mean solid season. Slow start and winter sports can’t come soon enough.
Thoughts from Gary: The Vikings open the season with a couple winnable games. As for everyone in the LCAA this year, wins will be hard to come by in league play. Dundee will have to find a way to win the close ones this year, if they hope to make the playoffs.
View Comments
Don't sleep on Dundee's defense they got some nitty gritty guys and McAvoy may be small for his position but he's seems to always get to the ball and make a play.
Ann Arbor Huron game in Overtime? Huron is one of the worst programs in the state. Yes I know they are a much larger school but they are poorly coached and the talented kids don’t play football there. They may have what appears to be bigger and faster players but they don’t know how to play the game. They will not be able to stop the run of Dundee. This is from an outsider looking in.
July 21 6:07PM
Who is the freshman QB and sophomore running backs you speak of? I know the Schroeder kid will be up on varsity as a sophomore but besides him, who else is starting as a sophomore?
Dundee has football ? LOL no offense but they are a wrestling school. I do have friends that coach in the lower levels there so I do hear about the Vikes. I do know they had probably the worst misfortune of any football team in the state last year with all those last minute losses but the more disciplined team will always win. Coach Mack is an experienced coach but the real question is whether or not they have the talent to compete?
Aug 23 Ann Arbor Huron- WIN in overtime
Aug 30 @ Stockbridge- WIN in a close one...again
Sept 7 Hudson- LOSS , toss up game but Dundee hasn't beaten Hudson since 2015
Sept 14 @ Ida- LOSS , Dundee could not stop Wellnau and Sampson last year
Sept 21 @ Blissfield, LOSS, according to michigan-football.com , these two programs always play each other tough but Blissfield's QB is the real deal
Sept 28 Onsted , WIN in what will probably be another close game
Oct 5 @ Brooklyn Columbia Central, LOSS , BCC will win the conference
Oct 12 Erie Mason , LOSS my heart says Dundee but I have a feeling that Mason will be on a momentum swing at this point and after watching Dundee play BCC last year, Dundee can't stop a good passing attack
Oct 19 @ Hillsdale, should be a great game! If Dundee can find a way to beat Mason then this could have playoff implications. Dundee has found a way to win the last 2 games but I can't see them stealing a 3rd won at HILLSDALE
I see a 4-5 record for the Vikings as long as they stay healthy. Simply not much talent for Dundee this year with their best players being juniors and sophomores. Unfortunately I see them and Onsted battling it out for who will be the worst in the LCAA.
I don't see how they will be good?? They will start out 2-0.. and be 2-5 Heading into Mason and Hillsdale.
Please give me some analogy. They will be young and inexperienced, especially upfront and in the backfield. They return 1, yes ONE offensive Lineman !!
Dundee is going to have a good team this year don't sleep on them.
This really is a rebuilding year last year, after the Vikings underachieved last year. You must do the little things and be good on special teams and the Vikings lost 3 games because of special teams. ( Onsted, Blissfield, Airport).
Offensively the Vikings only return 2 starters. It will take time to break in a new backfield- Oline and QB. The vikings committed way too many Turnovers last year, which hurt against Ida Blissfield and Columbia Central.
On D they return 4 starters. They always seem to stop the run but give up too many big plays thru the air. The good thing is that the DB's should be a strength for Dundee.
Don't be surprised if the Vikings start a Freshman QB, and three Soph RB's by the end of the season.
If the Vikings are going to have any success they need to win game 1, and the defense will be tested against the pass happy Ann Arbor Huron River Rats and Stockbridge Panthers..
Dundee could start off 2-0 and end 2-7.