Grosse Ile Schedule Analysis
It’s time to go island hopping for the next team in our Schedule Analysis series. Grosse Ile had the best turnaround of all teams on the blog, as they went from 2-7 to 9-1. Does the schedule allow for similar results? Let’s take a look.
Aug 29 @ Riverview Gabriel Richard
Sept 6 Milan
Sept 13 @ Airport
Sept 20 Jefferson
Sept 27 Huron
Oct 4 Flat Rock
Oct 11 @ SMCC
Oct 18 @ Riverview
Oct 25 Dearborn Heights Crestwood
Gut-Check Game: at SMCC. It’s never easy to venture to Navarre Field and come away a winner. Last year, the Red Devils defeated the Falcons 33-14, which put them in the driver’s seat for the Huron League crown. Will this Week 7 showdown have similar implications for both teams? In addition, this game comes right before a road trip to Riverview.
Trap Game: Flat Rock. The Red Devils escaped with a 33-28 win the last time they faced the Rams. This game also comes right before back-to-back trips to SMCC and Riverview. Jon Bodner will have to keep his team from looking ahead.
Snoozer: No snoozers here, winless Jefferson gave the undefeated Red Devils every thing they could handle last year in a 14-7 battle.
Non-Con Challenge: The Devils bookend the regular season with a pair of solid non-conference foes. They will hit the road to face Riverview Gabriel Richard in Week 1. The Devils squeaked out a 20-17 win over the Pioneers, who went 7-5 last season and made a Regional run, on the Island last year. Dearborn Heights Crestwood closes the season. The Chargers went 8-2 last season, and made the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons. Their bid for a perfect regular season was foiled by the Devils, who won 29-13 in a Week 9 showdown last year.
Notable: The Devils are the second of two teams on the blog that plays three straight home games (Weeks 4-6), and the second that does not have a new opponent.
Thoughts from Frank: Can Bodner and company build off of last season’s success? Other than a trip to RGR, the first six weeks don’t appear too daunting. Back-to-back trips to SMCC and Riverview are make-or-break if the Devils want to repeat as Huron League Champs.