2023 Schedule Analysis: Carlson Marauders

By Frank Vajcner

We now head Downriver for a look at the Carlson Marauders. The first year of the Jason Gendron era went well, as the Marauders went 9-2 for a second consecutive year with a Downriver League crown, as well as their sixth consecutive playoff appearance. Will the schedule allow for them to keep on truckin’?

2023 Schedule:

Aug 24: Airport

Aug 31: @ Dearborn Edsel Ford

Sept 8: @ Taylor

Sept 15: Wyandotte

Sept 22: Southgate Anderson

Sept 29: @ Trenton

Oct 6: @ Woodhaven

Oct 13: Allen Park

Oct 20: Lincoln Park

Gut-Check Game: A Week 6 trip to Trenton is the obvious answer. The Marauders emerged with a 27-6 win in the regular season, but the Trojans got the last laugh in the playoffs with a 17-7 win. Both teams could conceivably be 5-0 going into this one, provided both take care of Southgate Anderson in the weeks leading up.

Trap Game: Speak of the devil, as Southgate pays a visit in Week 5. The Titans were one of the most improved teams in the conference, as they qualified for the playoffs and came close to knocking off Trenton not once, but twice. The Titans also tripped up the Marauders 33-28 last season. Gendron will need to keep his team focused on avenging a loss, as well as from looking ahead.

Snoozer: The bottom of the Downriver League has been bad, but Dearborn Edsel Ford was downright abysmal. The Thunderbirds went 0-9, scored a resounding 50 points all season, and were shutout six times. 

Non-Conference Challenge: The Marauders welcome in Airport for their season opener. The Jets went 7-3 last season.

Notable: This will be the first regular-season meeting between the Marauders and Jets since 1992, when Carlson was a member of the Huron League…Gendron is familiar with the Jets, as he faced them as a player at Jefferson.

Final Thoughts from Frank: Weeks 5-8 will be the toughest stretch for Gendron’s bunch, as all four opponents were playoff teams last season. A Week 6 win over Trenton will give the Marauders a leg up in the conference.

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