Whiteford Bobcats Schedule Analysis

We conclude our Schedule Analysis Series with a trip to Ottawa Lake. Whiteford’s hopes to repeat as state champs ended with a thud in the second round of the playoffs last season. Coupled with what appears to be a significant rebuilding job (at least on paper), does the schedule favor a return to the postseason?

Aug 29 @ Blissfield

Sept 6 @ Stryker, OH

Sept 13 Schoolcraft

Sept 20 Adrian Madison

Sept 27 @ Morenci

Oct 4 Sand Creek

Oct 11 @ Clinton

Oct 18 Britton-Deerfield

Oct 25 Summerfield

Gut-Check Game: at Blissfield. We won’t have to wait long to see if Jason Mensing and company are in rebuild or reload mode, as they head up US-223 to play the Royals. Even though the Bobcats thrashed the Royals 48-6 last year, Blissfield returns a lot of talent on both sides of the ball from a team that made it to the Regional round. Things will be much different for Whiteford with a lot of new faces in new places. Special mention to a Week 3 game against Schoolcraft (more on that later).

Trap Game: Adrian Madison. The Trojans may not look like a contender, but this game falls right after Schoolcraft visits. The Bobcats will have to avoid a hangover from Week 3.

Snoozer: Stryker played their first varsity football season since 1931 last year, and got outscored 519-36 in nine games, including a 64-0 beatdown handed out by the Bobcats. This could be the lone game where Whiteford forces a running clock.

Non-Con Challenge: Schoolcraft was added as a non-conference opponent after Whitmore Lake bolted from the TCC. The Eagles have qualified for the playoffs for the last ten seasons, and made the Regional round last year.

Notable: The rivalry game with Summerfield moves to the end of the regular season for the first time since 2006…The Bobcats will play only two road games in conference play.

Thoughts from Frank: Whiteford’s streak of seven consecutive playoff appearances will be put to the test. Getting wins over Blissfield and Schoolcraft will be difficult early on. The middle part of the schedule isn’t too daunting, despite a trip to Morenci. The last three games could very well be make-or-break if the Bobcats want to keep playing well into November.