By Frank Vajcner
It’s now time to head to where you can find me during basketball season.
Bedford started last season strong, but ended with a thud as they lost their last four games. How does Year 2 of the John Phillips era look from a schedule standpoint?
2021 Schedule:
Aug 27: Utica Ford
Sept 3: @ Ann Arbor Pioneer
Sept 10: @ Dexter
Sept 17: Ann Arbor Huron
Sept 24: Ypsilanti Lincoln
Oct 1: @ Monroe
Oct 8: Saline
Oct 15: Ann Arbor Skyline
Oct 22: @ Detroit East English Village
Gut-Check Game: Saline. As someone who is on a coaching staff at Bedford, I can speak firsthand that Saline is always circled on the calendar. The Hornets have had a stranglehold on the SEC-Red since 2014, winning seven straight conference championships, and 38 consecutive conference games. Their last loss? September 27, 2013 to none other than the Mules. Will home field advantage help Phillips and company get a signature win?
Trap Game: Ypsi Lincoln. The Railsplitters are the new kids on the block in the SEC-Red, and they will travel to Temperance one week before the Mules play Monroe in a rivalry game. Phillips will have to guard against looking ahead.
Snoozer: Ann Arbor Pioneer has replaced Ann Arbor Huron in the basement of the SEC-Red. The Pioneers went 0-6 last season while getting outscored 194-43.
Non-Conference Challenge: As of July 8, Utica Ford is the lone non-conference opponent for the Mules. The Falcons went 1-5 last season, with the lone win coming against winless L’Anse Creuse North. This will be the first meeting between the Mules and Falcons since 2013.
Notable: Lincoln makes an appearance on the schedule for the first time since 2017. The Splitters won that meeting 23-19…Dexter also joins the SEC-Red this season. The Mules were to play the Dreadnaughts last year, but didn’t due to COVID. Bedford won the last meeting with Dexter 48-0 in 2016.
Frank’s Thoughts: Survive a road trip to Dexter in Week 3, and it’s conceivable that the Mules could be 5-0 headed into a rivalry game with Monroe. Survive that, and we could see a monster showdown with Saline the following week. Getting a win against Dexter or Saline will be key to another playoff berth.
Thoughts from Gary: There are couple of other dates to get up for but the SEC Crown will come down to Oct 1st and Oct 8th.
Thoughts from Chris: This seems like a manageable schedule for the Mules. The first 5 games are winnable and could set up a huge week 6 rivalry game @ Monroe.