2020 Schedule Analysis: Riverview Pirates
By Frank Vajcner
It’s now time to head up M-85, and stop next door to Arnaldo’s Banquet Center for our next team in the Schedule Analysis Series. Riverview tied a school record last season, as they qualified for the postseason for a third consecutive year. Will the Pirates’ schedule set up for a fourth straight appearance? Let’s take a look.
2020 Schedule:
Aug 28: @ Romulus
Sept 3: New Boston Huron
Sept 11: @ Flat Rock
Sept 18: SMCC
Sept 25: @ Milan
Oct 2: Airport
Oct 9: Jefferson
Oct 16: @ Grosse Ile
Oct 23: Redford Thurston
Gut-Check Game: at Milan. Derek McLaughlin and company were left with a bad taste in their mouths after the Big Reds came to town last season and left with a 33-8 win. The Pirates will now head to Milan to get revenge against the reigning Huron League Champs.
Trap Game: Airport. The Jets nearly upset the Pirates last season in Carleton, but came up short 14-13. This game also follows the trip to Milan.
Snoozer: at Romulus. The Eagles were dreadful last season, as they went 1-8 with the lone win coming over woebegone Melvindale. The Pirates have won the last three meetings by a combined 70 points.
Non-Conference Challenge: Redford Thurston comes to town to end the regular season. The Eagles are coming off of an 8-3 season where they qualified for the playoffs. The Pirates defeated them 43-25 in Week 9 last year.
Notable: The Pirates are the fourth of four teams on the blog that do not have any new opponents on the schedule.
Thoughts from Frank: Never before has Riverview qualified for the playoffs for four straight seasons. The schedule may very well be favorable for that. Road trips to Milan and Grosse Ile are the most challenging, but this is a team that could conceivably run the table in the regular season.
Thoughts from Chris: This schedule is pretty straight forward. The Pirates will get a test week 2 at home against Huron, then should expect tough road games at Milan and Grosse Ile.
Thoughts from Gary: I’ve said it before and I have to say it again, Romulus.. why? Redford Thurston is a solid program and will provide some resistance in week 9. @ Milan and @ Grosse Ile may just determine the Huron League title.
Riverview is back to building a football power in downriver. From varsity down to middle school all teams are well coached and lower levels follow the lead of the varsity
Lots of Regional Powers(Down River) and some state powers in D3. Tough area.
Seriously why does Riverview play Romulus? A JV team could beat Romulus.. Come on Bucks.. play somebody..
A JV team could not beat Romulus.
Riverview’s youth of 2019 ought to help in 2020. I’m with Gary, not sure why the Pirates continue to play Romulus.