Up next in Frank’s Schedule Analysis series is another team that exceeded expectations in Ida. What will the Blue Streaks face this season? Time to take a look.
Schedule:
Aug 24 @ Jefferson
Aug 31 Lake Fenton
Sept 7 @ Brooklyn Columbia Central
Sept 14 Dundee
Sept 21 @ Erie Mason
Sept 28 @ Hudson
Oct 5 Hillsdale
Oct 12 Onsted
Oct 19 @ Blissfield
Gut-check Game: at Brooklyn Columbia Central. Ida had never lost to Columbia Central in football. That was until Khol Partridge and company came to Hemelgarn Field last year, and shell-shocked the Blue Streaks with a 46-38 defeat. Now, Jeff Potter’s team must venture to the banks of Lake Columbia to open up conference play. Both teams are expected to be in the thick of the race for first in the LCAA, and a win by the Streaks will help put them in the catbird’s seat. Special mention goes to the game at Hudson in Week 6, as Ida has not won at Hudson since 1998.
Trap Game: at Erie Mason. The Eagles were a young team last year, and return the bulk of their offensive production. This game also comes between a rivalry game against Dundee, and a visit to conference power Hudson. Overlooking a hungry Eagles team could prove to be dangerous.
Snoozer: at Jefferson. I have been told that Jefferson will be better than last season’s 0-9 disaster. I want to believe it, but this is a Bears team that has some growing up to do. This may not be a blowout, but it is the only game that fits the snoozer criteria.
Non-con Challenge: Lake Fenton. Lake Fenton replaces New Haven on the schedule, and they are a significant upgrade. The Blue Devils went 8-2 last year, and have made the playoffs in six of the last seven years, including each of the last three. The Streaks have won their last 16 non-conference home games, as well as 15 of their last 16 regular season non-conference games. The Devils will look to break those trends.
Notable: The Week 2 game vs Lake Fenton will mark the first time that the Blue Devils will play a team from Monroe County since 2005, when they lost to SMCC in the first round of the playoffs.
Final Analysis: A lot of people expected Ida to drop off last season with Potter replacing Tom Walentowski as the coach, but the Blue Streaks kept on truckin’. Will the drop-off happen this season with a much tougher schedule, or will the Blue Streaks continue to silence the doubters? On paper, this is a team expected to be near the top of the conference, as well as make the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season. Road games against LCAA contenders Columbia Central, Hudson, and Blissfield could be make-or-break for the Streaks.
Thoughts from Chris: I think week 1 against Jefferson could be the game that sets up another solid season or sets up a disaster for the Bluestreaks. A loss could leave Ida staring 0-2 in the face as Lake Fenton comes to town and a daunting LCAA schedule ahead.
Thoughts from Gary: The 2018 schedule sets up to be very tough for the Bluestreaks. Lake Fenton is a strong new addition to the schedule,add in road trips to BCC, Hudson, Blissfield and you have the makings of a meat grinder. Coach Potter got it done in year 1, no reason to think he can’t in year 2.
Hmmm!!! Ida is now 5-1
As for Onsted…Bring it!!! Blissfield and Hillsdale will be the toughest contest yet. As for BCC, cant cry over spilt milk. But the boys made to many critical mistakes. Which in turn cost them the game. The "W" against Hudson was probably the most pivotal game of the season. To beat them in their house was monumental.
For what its worth, Mason returns more than anyone. 10 on O and 10 on D
Onsted will surprise people this year. They return more starters than anyone in the league. Ida will be 4-5.
Jason, in Franks's defense, I think "trap games" are games you are suppose to win, but may overlook due to a number of circumstances. Mason would qualify, being it's right before the Hudson game and after a big rivalry game vs Dundee.
Hillsdale, your trap game, beat Ida last year and is 4-2 vs Ida over the last 6 season. Do you think Ida will be overlooking them this year?
Onsted is another route Frank could have taken, but he chose Mason and I can see why he did.
You do realize that Ida hasn’t won at Hudson since 1998.
Frank
With all due respect, ERIE MASON being the trap game for Ida ??? Come on that is no way to treat your alma mater! Ida has outscored Mason 198-14 in the last 3 years. I do think Mason will be much better this year but just because they are the preseason 7 vs. 7 state champions shouldn't qualify them to the top tier just yet. In my opinion, the trap game for Ida is Hillsdale. For some reason, Hillsdale always seems to surprise them. Hillsdale had no business beating Ida last year and Coach Lemerand always has his troops ready for the Bluestreaks. The other team that can be a trap game for Ida is Dundee. We all know in rivalry games, throw the records out the window. We all know Dundee will be young but you know both teams will be well coached and hit each other in that game. Coach Potter has done a great job taking over the program.
My predictions:
Aug 24 @ Jefferson- WIN , my heart says Jefferson but they just aren't the same Jefferson anymore
Aug 31 Lake Fenton- WIN , Lake Fenton is a nice schedule upgrade but Ida will be better
Sept 7 @ Brooklyn Columbia Central- LOSS , BCC is the league favorite this year
Sept 14 Dundee- WIN, I don't know much about Dundee other than they are young, this will be a hard fought game like usual but I will go with the home team
Sept 21 @ Erie Mason- WIN by a bunch, Mason will be better but I predict a 56-21 score
Sept 28 @ Hudson- WIN, Ida 35 Hudson 24
Oct 5 Hillsdale- LOSS , my ~trap~ game
Oct 12 Onsted- WIN by a bunch
Oct 19 @ Blissfield- LOSS, another toss up game. The only reason I am picking Blissfield is because they are the home team and are considered one of the favorites in the LCAA
Thank you FNV for the schedule breakdown!