By Frank Vajcner
We now venture to Erie for a look at the Erie Mason Eagles. Steve Bowers and company took a step back last season, as they went 3-6. What does the schedule hold for the Eagles this season?
2024 Schedule:
Aug 29: Flint New Standard
Sept 6: @ Dundee
Sept 13: Northwood (OH)
Sept 20: @ Ottawa Hills (OH)
Sept 27: Dearborn Advanced Tech
Oct 4: @ Whiteford
Oct 11: @ Summerfield
Oct 18: @ Lutheran Westland
Oct 25: Flint International
Gut-Check Game: There are multiple games that jump off the page. A Week 2 visit to Dundee not only marks the first road trip of the season, but also a chance for the Eagles to end a 33-game losing streak to LCAA opponents. The Vikings won last season’s meeting 41-18.
Two weeks later marks another road trip to Ohio to face Ottawa Hills. The Green Bears were one of the better small school teams in Ohio last season, as they went 9-1 in the regular season with the lone loss to Whiteford. The Eagles were throttled by the Bears 54-16 in last season’s meeting.
And of course, two weeks later marks a road trip to The Woods to face Whiteford, who has outscored the Eagles 306-48 in the last seven meetings. If the Eagles want to show that last season was just a blip on the radar, stealing a win, or even putting up a respectable result, will go a long way.
Trap Game: Sandwiched between the road trips in Weeks 2 and 4 is a visit from Northwood. The Rangers got the better of the Eagles at home last season 42-18 (though some may attribute that to the earlier start for Ohio schools). Nevertheless, it’s one that Bowers will have to keep his squad focused for. Also beware of a trip to Summerfield that follows a trip to Whiteford.
Snoozer: The rest of the schedule pretty much fits the bill. Flint New Standard (or Burton Madison) has yet to win a game as they head into their fifth season of 11-man football. The Eagles ended up canceling their season last year due to low numbers. Flint International is transitioning to 11-man football, but is coming off of some abysmal seasons in 8-man. Lutheran Westland went 0-9 and got outscored 408-92 last season. And all apologies to Chris, but Dearborn Advanced Tech went 1-8 last season with the lone win coming over a woebegone Hamtramck.
Non-Conference Challenge: See everything before the snoozer section.
Notable: The Eagles will only play two conference games with Sand Creek bolting for the Big 8 in football…The season will be bookended by teams from Flint.
Thoughts from Frank: The three toughest games for the Eagles will all be on the road this season. They may have to steal a win in one of them, or hope that their other opponents rack up some wins if they want to get back to the playoffs.