By Frank Vajcner
Up next is the first of three teams on the blog that will have a new head coach. Carlson hired Landon Grove in the offseason to take over for Dan Kalbfleisch. How does the schedule fare for Grove in Year one?
2021 Schedule:
Aug 27: Lincoln Park
Sept 2: @ Dearborn Edsel Ford
Sept 10: Allen Park
Sept 17: @ Trenton
Sept 24: Wyandotte
Oct 1: Southgate Anderson
Oct 8: @ Taylor
Oct 15: @ White Lake Lakeland
Oct 22: @ Woodhaven
Gut-Check Game: Wyandotte. The Bears and Marauders have had some close battles the last four seasons, as all four previous meetings have been decided by a combined 13 points. Wyandotte has won the last two, and 10 of the last 11. This will be a huge opportunity for Grove to get a signature win. Special mention to not one, but two games at the end of the season in White Lake Lakeland (more on that later), and Woodhaven; both of whom had a combined record of 14-3.
Trap Game: at Trenton. Right before Wyandotte comes into town, the Marauders take a trip to Trenton to battle the Trojans. This is another game in the classic “look-ahead spot.”
Snoozer: Take your pick between any of the following: Taylor, Lincoln Park, or Edsel Ford. All three won one game each. Here’s another kicker: the one win for each team came against one of the aforementioned contingent.
Non-Conference Challenge: White Lake Lakeland replaces Harper Woods on the schedule. The Eagles have won seven games each of the past four seasons. They went 7-1 last season with a loss to Detroit Catholic Central in the playoffs.
Notable: This will be the first meeting on the gridiron between Carlson and Lakeland…The Marauders play three straight on the road to end the regular season…This will be the first year since 2012 that the Marauders will end the regular season with Woodhaven.
Frank’s Thoughts: Getting wins in Weeks 8-9 will be key if the Marauders want to make the playoffs. The matchup with Wyandotte could be a showdown of 5-0 teams if Carlson can get by Allen Park.
Thoughts from Gary: Three game stretch of Allen Park, Trenton and Wyandotte will be tough to manage. Huge showdown at Woodhaven in week 9 might be for a home playoff game.
Thoughts from Chris: This is a manageable schedule for first-year coach Landon Grove. The Marauders should start the season 2-0 before hosting Allen Park week 3.
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