2024 Schedule Analysis: SMCC Falcons

By Frank Vajcner

Time to take a visit to Gary Hauf’s alma mater, as well as a certain place that yours truly may or may not have a history with. Last season, SMCC was like an old lawn mower that many of us have owned, where it takes a while to get running, but once you get going, mowing the lawn is a breeze. 

For those who don’t get my reference, the Falcons started slow, but turned things around in October to make it seven straight years with at least one playoff win. What will the schedule have in store for a team with aspirations of winning the Huron League, as well as a deep postseason run?

2024 Schedule:

Aug 29: @ Clinton

Sept 6: New Boston Huron

Sept 13: @ Grosse Ile

Sept 20: @ Airport

Sept 27: Milan

Oct 4: @ Riverview

Oct 11: Flat Rock

Oct 18: Jefferson

Oct 25: Detroit Country Day

Gut-Check Game: We won’t have to wait very long to see whether the Falcons are primed for success, as they will return to the same place where last season ended at Clinton’s Wegner Field. The Red Wolves defeated the Falcons 22-14 in the second round of the playoffs last season en route to finishing 10-2. This game could also be a preview of a postseason matchup, as both teams will be favorites for long runs in Division 7. Did I mention that this will more than likely be our Game of the Week for Week 1?

In Huron League play, a Week 6 trip to Riverview will be a major hurdle to clear. The Pirates have won the last four meetings while outscoring the Falcons 127-40. That is followed by a visit from Flat Rock, whom the Falcons shell-shocked 27-18 last season to knock the Rams out of the Huron League race. I would be remiss not to mention the folk from SMCC know that our picks that game were bull junk.

Adam Kipf and company will have their work cut out for them if they want to win their first Huron League crown since 2015.

Trap Game: Grosse Ile has become a thorn in the side of of the Falcons in the past two seasons. Kipf will need to remind his team of what happened when the Devils came to Navarre Field and stole their only win of the season. Throw in that this game is on The Island, where the Falcons have not won in a non-Covid year since 2014, and this is not one to overlook.

Snoozer: Nobody here.

Non-Conference Challenge: I have always credited SMCC for not being afraid to schedule tough competition. In addition to traveling to Clinton, the Falcons will welcome state blue blood Detroit Country Day to the friendly confines of Navarre Field in Week 9. The Yellow Jackets had a surprisingly down year at 3-5, with one of those losses being a 28-27 overtime thriller to the Falcons last season.

Fun Facts: Last season’s win over Country Day was the first in program history for the Falcons in seven attempts. Both teams have won a combined seven state championships in football…This will be the tenth meeting with Clinton. The Falcons lead the series 7-2, with both losses coming in postseason play.

Thoughts from Frank: There is a lot of chatter that this season could be special for the Falcons. If they are able to knock off both Clinton AND Riverview, the buzz will be even higher going into October and November.