By Frank Vajcner
We now take a visit to Ottawa Lake for the final stop in my series. Whiteford made a run to the State Semifinals for the fourth time in seven years, where they came so close to making it to Ford Field. But things will be different after the departure of head coach Jason Mensing. Can the Bobcats keep things going under interim coach Todd Thieken, and will the schedule allow for said success to continue?
2022 Schedule:
Aug 26 Blissfield
Sept 1 @ Ida
Sept 9 Detroit Loyola
Sept 16 @ Adrian Madison
Sept 23 Summerfield
Sept 30 @ Sand Creek
Oct 7 @ Kalamazoo Loy Norrix
Oct 14 Erie Mason
Oct 21 Pioneer North Central (Ohio)
Gut-Check Game: It’s a pretty obvious choice when you schedule a blue blood program in the out-of-conference slate. Detroit Loyola may have only been 6-6, but the Bulldogs played a tough schedule. They have also qualified for the postseason in 14 of the last 15 years. If the Bobcats want to get Thieken a signature win, Week 3 in “The Woods” is a prime opportunity.
Trap Game: Trips to Ida and Madison sandwich the aforementioned visit from Loyola, with the latter of the two preceding a visit from arch-rival Summerfield. And if that’s not enough, Summerfield precedes a trip to Sand Creek. Granted, the Bobcats won against all of them by at least 20 points, but each one is a prime letdown and/or look ahead spot.
Snoozer: Kalamazoo Loy Norrix might fit the bill for worst team in Division 1. The Knights have lost 16 consecutive games, including a 76-40 thrashing by the Bobcats last season. In addition, they have not had a winning season since 1998, and have only won more than two games six times since the last winning season.
Non-Conference Challenge: In addition to the aforementioned visit from Loyola, the Bobcats will host Blissfield and visit Ida. The Royals are coming off of a 3-6 season, while the Blue Streaks went 8-3. Both were soundly beaten by the Bobcats. Pioneer North Central, who is in their first season of varsity football, will come to town in Week 9.
Notable: The last time Loyola faced a team from the Tri-County Conference was when they faced Britton-Deerfield in the 2013 playoffs…Whiteford has faced an Ohio school three times previously in the last four seasons, defeating Stryker twice and losing to Edon.
Thoughts from Frank: I love Whiteford getting Loyola on the schedule. Even if they lose, they will still be able to get enough wins and bonus points to get into the postseason. But if they win, you can pencil in the Bobcats as a contender to make a run to Ford Field.
Thoughts from Chris: This is a tough schedule, but I expect Whiteford to be ready as usual. I love the Detroit Loyola game. The Bulldogs will be coming off of games against Country Day and Grand Rapids CC when they travel to the border week 3. The Bobcats should find themselves in the playoffs for the 11th straight season.
Thoughts from Gary: Whiteford often times is the toughest game on someone’s schedule. In the case of Loyola, Whiteford would be a “break” in their schedule. Loyola however knows not to take this D8 school lightly. Great match-up. Norrix although being a D1 school, has lost 30 of 31, Whiteford being one of those losses last year. At Ida should be a doozy. I’m really looking forward to that game. At Madison is a game I would highlight as well.