Dundee 2021 Schedule Analysis

2021 Dundee Vikings Schedule Analysis

By Frank Vajcner

Up next is another team with a new coach, and also a place where I spent a few years. Dundee has promoted Steve Ayre from defensive coordinator to head coach after Ross Crow was named athletic director. How will the first year for Ayre look schedule-wise?

2021 Schedule:

Aug 27: Romulus Summit Academy

Sept 2: @ Livonia Clarenceville

Sept 10: Ida

Sept 17: Blissfield

Sept 24: @ Onsted

Oct 1: Columbia Central

Oct 8: @ Clinton

Oct 15: Hillsdale

Oct 22: @ Hudson

Gut-Check Game: at Livonia Clarenceville. There are plenty of games to pick from, but I’m going with the first road test for Ayre and company. The Trojans went 5-3 last season before having to bow out of the playoffs due to COVID. One can also make a case for a road trip to Clinton in Week 7, as the recently-renamed Red Wolves are coming off of a State Finals appearance. In addition, you can also make a case for Week 1 (more on that later).

Trap Game: Columbia Central: After the Vikings lost last year’s meeting to Columbia Central in Week 3, the Golden Eagles did not win again. While this could be a winnable game, it falls a week before a road trip to Clinton. Ayre will need to avoid a letdown.

Snoozer: Talk about going from the penthouse to the outhouse. One season after Onsted came within a whisker of reaching Ford Field, the Wildcats went 0-7, while getting outscored 301-110. One of those losses was a 30-8 defeat to the Vikings.

Non-Conference Challenge: In addition to a road trip to Livonia in Week 2, the Vikings will host Romulus Summit Academy in Week 1. The Dragons have posted a winning record in the last four seasons, with the last two resulting in playoff trips.

Notable: The matchup with Clarenceville is a rematch of a playoff meeting from 2001, which was won 39-28 by the Trojans…The Backyard Brawl with Ida is back on after being a casualty due to COVID.

Frank’s Thoughts: Give the Vikings credit for beefing up their non-conference slate with TWO Division 4 schools that were playoff teams last season. Stealing a couple of games against LCAA foes not named Columbia Central or Onsted will likely spell the difference between playoffs and no playoffs.

Thoughts from Gary: Love the non-conference slate for the Vikings. The LCAA might take a step back as a whole from last year, allowing Dundee to improve on their 2 victories in 2020. But make no mistake, there are zero gimmies in the LCAA.

Thoughts from Chris: This is a tough schedule for the Vikings. They need to at least split the first two games if they are to make a run at the playoffs.