Up next in our Schedule Analysis series is a team that surprised (almost) everyone by reaching the regional round after a 1-3 start. SMCC is expecting a deep run this season, but how does the path through the regular season look? Let’s take a look.
Schedule:
Aug 23 Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy
Aug 31 Milan
Sept 7 @ Riverview
Sept 14 Flat Rock
Sept 21 New Boston Huron
Sept 28 @ Grosse Ile
Oct 5 @ Airport
Oct 12 Jefferson
Oct 19 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Gut-check Game: at Riverview. The Pirates reached the State Semi-finals last season, and are the reigning Huron League Champions. When the two squads met at Navarre Field last season, Riverview rolled their way to a 34-7 victory. It marked the first time the Falcons had lost to the Pirates since 2011. While SMCC hasn’t lost at Riverview since 2004, this will likely be the first huge test for Adam Kipf and company.
Trap Game: at Airport. One could argue that the Huron League schedule is full of land mines, but I’m going to pick Airport. The Jets are expected to take another step forward this season, and could be a sleeper in the Huron League. In addition, the game comes at the end of a difficult five-game stretch for the Falcons, where three of the five will be on the road. Special mention to Grosse Ile, as the Falcons have to travel to the island to face a team many say is a sleeper in the Huron League
Snoozer: With as tough as the Huron League is (including the bottom feeders) there may not be a snoozer on the schedule.
Non-con Challenge: Coach Kipf had been looking for a formidable opponent to play in Week 1, and he found one in Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy. The Eagles have only been playing varsity football for ten seasons, but have qualified for the playoffs in the last nine. In addition, the Falcons will host Pontiac Notre Dame Prep in Week 9. The Fighting Irish defeated the Falcons 28-14 last season. This will be one final tune-up for the Falcons before the playoffs. This is provided that they have clinched a playoff spot, otherwise it could end up being a must-win against a formidable opponent.
Notable: Week 1 will be the first ever meeting between SMCC and HWCPA…This will also be the first time since 2013 that the Falcons will begin and end the regular season at Navarre Field.
Final Analysis: Simply put, the Week 3 showdown at Riverview is the game of the year in the Huron League. The winner won’t clinch the title on Sept. 7, but the loser will have likely lost it. But one game won’t define the whole regular season, as the Falcons have plenty of land mines to navigate around. If they can get through this schedule unscathed, Kipf should be a shoe-in for Coach of the Year.
Thoughts from Chris: With 6 games on the home schedule and a traditionally slow starting Chandler Park coming to Monroe week 1, this schedule may not be as tough as some think. With that said, SMCC will have their hands full in what appears to be a solid Huron League this year.
Thoughts from Gary: Much like last year, SMCC’s schedule is a little top heavy, playing the top 4 teams of ’17 right off the bat. Road games to GI and Airport are never easy as well. The Falcon non-league schedule, HWCP and PNDP, will provide no weeks off for CC. Keeping their tradition of quality bookend opponents.
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Oh sorry I forgot to tell you - students would actually want to go to your school.
You can !
I wish we could recruit too.
CC no matter what div we play in will do very well , we play schools our size and the non league games and especially the Huron League get them ready for the playoffs...get some hatters !!! Get some !!!
CC needs to slow the train as well.
How do you think the falcons offensive line will be after losing 4 starters?
Haters going to hate.. 27 league championship. 3 state championship. 21 playoff appearances.. Now what?
Weaker d7 playoff draw we are a d7 team that holds there own against much bigger schools so why all the hate. We have 21 kids on the varsity should we b we playing in d2 playoffs?
Hey 2:18. Sounds like your team plays in D-1 right. Yeah that's what I thought.
Hi Gary :)