By Frank Vajcner
It’s now time to go to the southeastern part of Monroe County to look at the Erie Mason Eagles. Things are gonna be a lot different on Eagle Drive, now that the Eagles have moved on to a somewhat revamped Tri-County Conference. Does an overhauled schedule allow for success?
2020 Schedule:
Aug 28 Macomb Lutheran North
Sept 4 Hudson
Sept 11 @ Whiteford
Sept 18 @ Summerfield
Sept 25 Adrian Madison
Oct 2 @ Morenci
Oct 9 Britton-Deerfield
Oct 16 @ Sand Creek
Oct 23 Pittsford
Gut-Check Game: at Whiteford. For Rob Beaudrie’s welcome to the Tri-County Conference, his team gets to open up conference play on the road against a blue-blood in Whiteford. Granted, this isn’t the Bobcats team that won a state championship in 2017, but it should serve as a good barometer as to where the Eagles could be in the conference. For the record, the Eagles’ last win over the Bobcats was in 1980.
Trap Game: Britton-Deerfield. The last time the Patriots and Eagles met, the final score looked like a game of Madden, as it was the Eagles who won 80-42. Fast forward to 2020, and the Eagles have this game right before a tough road trip to Sand Creek. Also, beware of a trip to Summerfield in Week 4, which follows up the trip to Whiteford.
Snoozer: Morenci went 1-8 last season, with their lone win coming against a winless Indian River Inland Lakes. Whoever is running the scoreboard in Morenci had better be ready.
Non-Conference Challenge: Old LCAA foe Hudson remains on the schedule. Even though the Tigers will be breaking in a new head coach, and are coming off of a 2-7 season, they did squeak out a 38-30 win over the Eagles last year. Macomb Lutheran North comes to Erie to open the season. The Mustangs went 4-5 last season.
Notable: The Eagles are not the only newcomer to the TCC, as Pittsford has joined as a football-only member after being the only SCAA school to not go to 8-man football. Week 9 will be the first meeting between the two schools…This will also mark the first year that the Eagles play Lutheran North…Both Summerfield and Britton-Deerfield have been on the Eagles’ schedule for the last few seasons. Here is the last time the Eagles played their other conference foes: Whiteford in 2015, Sand Creek in 1997, Morenci in 1979, and Adrian Madison in 1972.
Thoughts from Frank: The Eagles are facing a step down in competition, as the TCC is nowhere near as rugged as the LCAA, but there are still plenty of tough games. Despite back-to-back trips to Whiteford and Summerfield, the schedule is one of the more manageable. I fully expect the Eagles to fly past their win total of two from last season. Only time will tell if a trip to the postseason is in the cards.
Thoughts from Chris: On paper the schedule looks less daunting than the last few years, but don’t be fooled, there is some very good football played in the TCC and some very good coaches. Week 1 could be telling for the Eagles. Lutheran North is not a football power by any means, but they are the biggest school enrollment wise on the schedule and the Mustangs always have athletes.
Thoughts from Gary: When I look at theses schedules, I tend to look at the first 3 to 4 games more than the others. Getting off to a good start for a program trying to build things is important. All four of those to start the season could go either way. So to me, 2-2 would be a solid start, anything better than that and the Eagles may very well have a special season.
How good is macomb Lutheran north
I think it’s fair to say that if they played Erie Mason’s schedule last year that they would have finished 2-7. They were down a little bit from where they usually are.
I think Erie Mason will have a much better record, but it will be based on playing in the TCC. They have obviously improved, but the schedule is easier. Look for Whiteford, Sand Creek, Britton, and Summerfield to challenge them in the league. They will have their hands full with LHN and Hudson, but can win both of those games.
Appreciate the FNV crew taking the time to write up each team. As a long time Monroe County Head Coach I appreciate reading about all the teams. As a current Lenawee County Head Coach and TCC conference coach, we welcome the Eagles and look forward to some good battles in the years to come. Although,
I believe they’ll be a few other teams besides Whiteford and Sand Creek that can challenge the Eagles next year😄
Both Whiteford and Sand creek had trouble with passing teams last year. The question is can Erie Mason get either offense off the field. Whiteford is returning an All-State tackle and a solid running back. Sand Creek is returning four offensive lineman who go north of 270 lbs and two running backs who combined for over 2500 yards rushing and 50 touch downs. Both games should be fun to watch. Other than these two teams I don’t see anyone else in the TCC beating EM.
If Erie Mason wins their first two games they should be able to vie with Whiteford and Sand Creek for the conference title.
Will surely be a clash of styles when Mason plays Whiteford and SC.