By Frank Vajcner
We conclude the Schedule Analysis Series with a visit to defending Division 8 State Champion Whiteford. The Bobcats put together a 14-0 season in the first season under Todd Thieken en route to their second title in school history. Will the schedule allow for them to stay on the path to run it back?
2023 Schedule:
Aug 24: @ Blissfield
Aug 31: Ida
Sept 8: @ Ottawa Hills (OH)
Sept 15: Edon (OH)
Sept 22: Sand Creek
Sept 29: @ Erie Mason
Oct 6: Reading
Oct 13: @ Union City
Oct 20: @ Summerfield
Gut-Check Game: For as dominant as the Bobcats have been, there has been one boogeyman that they have not been able to overcome in Reading. The Rangers have won both meetings against the Bobcats, with the most recent being in the 2018 postseason in a mud bowl. That ended a 24-game winning streak for the Bobcats, and dashed their chances of going for back-to-back state championships. Of course, there were rumblings of a rematch this past postseason until the Rangers were knocked off by White Pigeon. This time around, said rematch will be in The Woods. How much of a revenge factor will there be for the Bobcats, and will playing at home make a difference?
Special mention to a 90-mile trek to Union City the following week.
Trap Game: Right before the showdown with Reading, the Bobcats travel to Erie Mason. While the Bobcats have had their way with the Eagles, this one is in a look-ahead spot. Thieken will need to keep his bunch focused.
Snoozer: Sand Creek went 2-7 last year, and has been outscored 126-12 in the last two seasons by the Bobcats.
Non-Conference Challenge: With the Tri-County Conference down to just four members for 11-man football, there’s a lot to cover in the out-of conference. So for the respective TCC schools on the blog, I’ll do this a little different.
- Blissfield: The Royals went 4-5 last season. The Bobcats have won nine of the last ten meetings.
- Ida: The Blue Streaks went 4-6 last season. Whiteford has won the past two meetings.
- Ottawa Hills: Another game that’s a part of an alliance between the Tri-County Conference and Toledo Area Athletic Conference.
- Edon: The Bombers and Bobcats met two years ago thanks to some 11th-hour scheduling, and the Bombers prevailed 52-32.
- Union City: The Chargers won the Big 8 last season as they went 7-3 and qualified for the playoffs for a third consecutive year.
Notable: This will be the first meeting between Whiteford and Union City…Whiteford will meet Ottawa Hills for the first time since 1997…The Bobcats will face two teams from the state of Ohio for the first time since 2006.
Final Thoughts from Frank: Whiteford should face some tests if they want to run it back in the regular season, especially in October. The Ohio schools could be wild cards in terms of getting bonus points.
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