By Frank Vajcner
It’s time to head over to Herr Road. Monroe had a strong start to the first year under Kyle Reed, but then petered out after Week 5. What does the schedule hold for Reed and his squad in Year Two?
2024 Schedule:
Aug 30: Jackson
Sept 6: Ann Arbor Huron
Sept 13: @ Ypsi Lincoln
Sept 20: Saline
Sept 27: @ Ann Arbor Pioneer
Oct 4: @ Ann Arbor Skyline
Oct 11: Dexter
Oct 18: @ Bedford
Oct 25: @ Riverview
Gut-Check Game: The obvious answer is Week 4 when Saline comes to Bunkelman Field. It was last season when the Trojans gave the Hornets all they could handle before falling 42-35 in what was a gut-wrenching loss. The Trojans never seemed to recover, as they lost the remaining games on the schedule. If Reed and company want to exorcise demons from last season, knocking off the Hornets for the first time since 2011 would go a long way. Expectations will be on another planet if the Trojans come in to this one at 3-0. A visit from Dexter is worth a mention too, as the Trojans will look to avenge a 51-0 beatdown from last season by the Dreadnaughts.
Trap Game: As I mentioned in Bedford’s schedule analysis, Ypsi Lincoln has made a habit of dragging teams into the mud. The Trojans survived with a 9-0 win at home last season, and the previous two meetings were decided by identical 28-21 scores. Throw in that this game is right before Saline, and Reed will have to keep his team from peeking ahead on the schedule.
Snoozer: The striking of deceased equines continues with Ann Arbor Skyline, as the Eagles went 1-8 last season, are on a 23-game losing streak in the SEC Red, and have won only three games since 2019. They also gave up a fifty burger four times last season, including a 58-0 defeat by the Trojans.
Non-Conference Challenge: Monroe will welcome Jackson to open the season, and close with Riverview. The Vikings went 4-5 last season, and were defeated by the Trojans 24-6. The Pirates were 9-2, and have beaten the Trojans each of the last three seasons.
Fun Facts: Jackson will be visiting Bunkelman Field for a second straight year. Last season’s meeting was moved due to an industrial fire near Tony Dungy Field…Monroe will play four of their last five games on the road.
Thoughts from Frank: Much like Dundee, Monroe was left wondering what could have been, with three losses (Saline, Pioneer, and Bedford) all by one score. If they can avenge two of the three one-possession losses, and win defeat the opponents that they did last year, we could see the Trojans back in the postseason