We return to the SEC for the next team in Frank’s Schedule Analysis series. Monroe is looking to make a leap in the SEC-Red. Let’s look at the schedule to determine if they can make said leap.
Schedule:
Aug 23 @ Airport
Aug 31 Elkhart Central (IN)
Sept 7 Jackson
Sept 14 @ Ann Arbor Skyline
Sept 21 Ann Arbor Huron
Sept 28 @ Bedford
Oct 5 Ann Arbor Pioneer
Oct 12 @ Saline
Oct 19 Lake Orion
Gut Check Game: @ Bedford. The Mules have been a thorn in the side of the Trojans ever since Monroe joined the SEC. The last time Monroe beat Bedford was 2014, which is the lone win for them against the Mules since the move to the SEC. A playoff spot could be on the line for the Trojans, who could be 5-0 by the time they head to Temperance.
Trap Game: Ann Arbor Pioneer: This game comes sandwiched between the trip to Bedford, and a road trip to Saline. The Pioneers have been another team Monroe has struggled with since joining the SEC. Even though the Pioneers have struggled the last couple of seasons, this is not a game the Trojans can look past with Saline on the horizon in Week 8.
Snoozer: We hate to beat a dead horse, but Ann Arbor Huron fits the bill…again
Non-Con Challenge: The Trojans non-conference slate has been revamped, as Airport and Lake Orion replace Livonia Churchill and Dearborn Fordson. Both games will be on the road. This will be the first meeting with Airport on the gridiron, while the Trojans last met Lake Orion in the 1998 playoffs, where it was the Dragons who emerged a 41-22 winner.
Notable: Monroe will also have a new SEC-White crossover foe, as Jackson has joined the White Division. This will be the first meeting between the schools…Elkhart Central (IN) will pay a visit to Bunkelman Field in Week 2, as the Trojans continue their home-and-home series with the Indiana school…The meeting with Airport will mark the first time since 1972 (a 16-7 win over Grosse Ile) that Monroe plays someone from the Huron League.
Final Analysis: Can the Trojans get over the hump in the SEC-Red? This could be the year to do it. The first seven games are winnable, but a trip to Saline in Week 8 looms as the biggest hurdle. The Bedford game looms large too, as a win could potentially clinch a playoff spot. The bottom line is the opportunities are there, but will the Trojans take advantage?
Thoughts from Chris: The schedule is manageable, but this is not an easy schedule for Monroe. Week 1 and week 2 are very important as those games are winnable and should help the Trojans to get off to a 2-0 start.
Thoughts from Gary:
Gone are the long standing non-conference foes of
Adrian(2015) and Fordson(2017). The Trojans open 2018 @Airport, an
interesting game on a Thursday night. Stands should be packed. Follow
that up with home games vs Elkhart and Jackson. Monroe has the opportunity
for a fast start before trips to Bedford, Saline and Lake Orion round out the
season.
Adrian(2015) and Fordson(2017). The Trojans open 2018 @Airport, an
interesting game on a Thursday night. Stands should be packed. Follow
that up with home games vs Elkhart and Jackson. Monroe has the opportunity
for a fast start before trips to Bedford, Saline and Lake Orion round out the
season.
I can promise you this will be a running clock.. not even close.
Not gonna pretend I know alot about Monroe, I don't. 10:42 I can promise you Airport's first team offense will score more than one touchdown on Monroe's defense. EM
This is the most talented team Coach Notario has had since taking over the Trojans. The expectations are high and rightfully so and he has a couple of D1 athletes and a score of other kids who could compete at the D2/NAIA levels. Banks is the arguably best running back in the area and Malik Linton will be a dual threat QB. They should be big up front. The question is whether they will be able to stop anyone on defense?
Aug 23 @ Airport- WIN by a bunch. I remember Airport having a couple of speedy kids last year but overall they won't be able to compete with the Trojans.
Aug 31 Elkhart Central- WIN , long trip for EC, first home game, the Trojans will be ready to go
Sept 7 Jackson-WIN – we will know more about Jackson after they play Adrian week 2 but I will give the nod to Monroe as the home team
Sept 14 @ Ann Arbor Skyline- WIN The Trojans need to stay focused because Skyline will be no pushover and you never know what transfers they will have that could shock someone
Sept 21 Ann Arbor Huron- WIN . Huron will be better at the skilled positions and it will help having an offensive lineman with a couple of MAC offers but it takes time to build a program.
Sept 28 @ Bedford- LOSS , my heart says Monroe but Bedford has their number
Oct 5 Ann Arbor Pioneer- WIN see Skyline
Oct 12 @ Saline- LOSS , well coached, stockpile of talent, and at Saline
Oct 19 @ Lake Orion- This could be an interesting game because Lake Orion has a strong program, I am going with a Monroe WIN and the Trojans maybe snagging a home game round 1.
Monroe 58 Airport 27
21.. vs Monroe 2s
Airport 28 Monroe 27..
It’s a week 9 cross-over. I checked Fordsons MHSAA website.
Monroe is going to beat Airport by 30.
850X
Or like Chris said. Fordson may play a crossover wk9.
I think Fordson does have an open week 9. But Monroe can schedule who they want. It's not like they scheduled a cupcake. Lake Orion can play.
I'll respond to a handful of comments here.
Soft spread football? I wouldn't call any brand of football soft. There are a million ways to win at football. Monroe will be fine this season. I'm sure Linton and Banks in space will be tough to defend.
Ann Arbor Huron will be better, but one player (Aaron Winston) won'y mean many victories in the SEC.
Blissfield and BCC would get crushed by Monroe and the Trojans would win the easily win the LCAA.
Not sure why Monroe isn't play Fordson week 9 other than the fact that I think the KLAA that the Tractors play in has a week 9 crossover. Maybe we will see a week 1 match up in a few years when contracts are up.
I don't think Monroe has an easy schedule, but I do think they beat Airport week 1.
Monroe can’t play Fordson this year. They switched leagues and don’t have an open date.
Its criminal that Monroe isn't playing Fordson.. this is one of the longest and best rivalries in the state..unreal
If Monroe doesn't beat Airport there should be serious consideration for the program moving in another direction. No team other than Bedford should compete with Monroe. You have 1000 boys in your school…more than most region schools. Start getting back to the Monroe of old and stop playing soft spread football. Pound the rock
Monroe would lose to Blissfield and BCC this year
Ann arbor huron is not going to be a snoozer this year..
Let me change that up a bit…the first 9 games on the schedule…are…LOSABLE!!!
Monroe wouldn’t win the LCAA!
Monroe has a easy schedule.. Airport beats Monroe..