2022 Schedule Analysis: Dundee Vikings

By Frank Vajcner

Time to head off to where I had a stint at for a few years. Dundee took a step forward in the first year of the Steve Ayre era, going 6-5 with a playoff victory. How will Year 2 look from a schedule standpoint?

2022 Schedule:

Aug 25: @ Adrian Madison

Sept 1: Livonia Clarenceville

Sept 9: @ Blissfield

Sept 16: Onsted

Sept 23: @ Columbia Central

Sept 30: Clinton

Oct 7: @ Hillsdale

Oct 14: Hudson

Oct 21: @ Ida

Gut-Check Game: Look no further than the home opener, as Livonia Clarenceville comes to town in Week 2. The Trojans are coming off of a 9-2 season, which included a 47-13 thrashing of the Vikings. Ayre and company would love for nothing more than to open up the home slate with a signature win. Special mention to visits from Clinton and Hudson in Weeks 6 and 8.

Trap Game: at Hillsdale. Even though the Hornets are far from what they used to be, a long road trip comes sandwiched between Clinton and Hudson, which could be a classic look-ahead spot.

Snoozer: Columbia Central has really fallen on hard times. The Golden Eagles went 0-9 and were outscored 315-60. The Vikings defeated them 43-0 last season.

Non-Conference Challenge: In addition to Clarenceville, the Vikings will play Adrian Madison this season. The Trojans went 5-4 last season, and have put together consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1979 and 1980.

Notable: This will mark the first-ever meeting with Adrian Madison on the gridiron. It will also be a preview of what will come in the LCAA, as the Trojans will be members starting in 2023…Both non-conference opponents share the same nickname…The Backyard Brawl game against Ida will be the regular-season finale for the first time since 1984.

Thoughts from Frank: Please, LCAA scheduling powers, I beseech thee. Keep the Backyard Brawl in Week 9 permanently. All that aside, Dundee has fairly tough home schedule, with three of the opponents having qualified for the postseason. The road slate isn’t overly daunting until the aforementioned trip to Ida. Making it a fourth straight trip to the playoffs will be a challenge, but doable.

Thoughts from Chris: This appears to be a tough schedule. I think the first two games will be pivotal. The Vikings must split those two games and be 4-1 heading into the final 4 weeks in order to qualify for the playoffs.

Thoughts from Gary: Looking at the whole of the schedule, it would seem at first glance that the Vikings will need to get things rolling right away. The meat of the schedule isn’t until later in the season. Going 4-1 out of the gate will give them their best chance at post season play.