Frank continues his schedule analysis series by heading to Temperance to glance at Bedford.
Schedule:
Aug 23 @ Sterling Heights Stevenson
Aug 31 Toledo St. Francis
Sept 7 @ Pinckney
Sept 14 @ Saline
Sept 21 Ann Arbor Pioneer
Sept 28 Monroe
Oct 5 @ Ann Arbor Skyline
Oct 12 Ann Arbor Huron
Oct 19 Coldwater
Gut Check Game: at Saline. The Mules have not beaten Saline since 2013, and have not won there since 2010. In addition to facing the reigning SEC-Red champs on the road, this game comes off of another tough road game at Pinckney, in what many will say is the toughest set of back-to-back road games for the teams we cover.
Trap Game: Ann Arbor Pioneer. The Pioneers roll into Temperance right between the weeks where Bedford travels to Saline, and hosts Monroe. This is a game the Mules can ill afford to look past. Ann Arbor Skyline deserves special mention here, as that game comes after a tough September slate.
Snoozer: Ann Arbor Huron. The last time the River Rats won a game was October 3, 2014 (yes, you read that right). They have since lost 30 consecutive games, and are on their fourth coach in four years. Enough said.
Non-Con Challenge: A season-ending game against Coldwater will be much easier than opponents past, but the Cardinals are still a formidable foe. They have qualified for the playoffs each of the last five seasons. Could this be a potential playoff-eliminator game for both teams?
Notable: Pinckney rotates as the SEC-White crossover game. The Pirates have recorded eight wins in each of the last two years. This will be the first meeting on the gridiron between both schools…The Mules will travel 370 combined miles for their first three road games.
Final Analysis: The month of September is brutal for Jeff Wood’s squad. If Bedford can get through September with no (or just one) loss, they could be a force to be reckoned with. Lose more than two, and the final game against Coldwater could carry more weight. If the Mules make the playoffs this season, it will be well-earned.
Thoughts from Chris: No gimmees for the Kicking Mules this season with the exception of Ann Arbor Huron in week 8. Stevenson was 2-7 last season, but played a murderous schedule that included 8 playoff teams. Coach Wood is one of the best coaches in SE Michigan and Bedford always has players, but making the playoffs this season would be a big accomplishment and I think they will.
Thoughts from Gary: What jumps out to me is the interesting non-conference slate. Stevenson, St Francis and Pinckney should all be pretty good this year. Throw in Saline, Monroe along with Pioneer and you have a difficult schedule. I have no reason to think, however, that Coach Wood will not have his team primed for another playoff appearance.
UP Next: Carlson
UP Next: Carlson
Saline is going to be down a bit this season. They will still be very good, as they are extremely well coached, but won’t have the same firepower as years past. Add the fact that Saline opens with Chippewa Valley who will be a top 5 team I’m the state week 1 and then gets the privledge of hosting Grand Rapids CC week 2 after winning another state title in D-4 last season. So this will be Bedford’s best chance to beat them his year.
Pinckney is turning around their program and will be ok. But they are in a rebuilding year as well. Lost 10 starters on O and 10 on D from last years SEC White champ.
I see Bedford Saline as a toss up, but they should beat Pinckney handily
Word is that Bedford is down? Also chipka at sfs went 5-5/5-5 and then 3-7 at Waite so didn't show any improvement ….
Sfs graduated a lot of their bigger name players butninpersonally wasn’t all that impressed with the attitudes and efforts of those said players, so that could actually be a blessing for sfs….
Bedford will be the home team and they operate on a solid system.
My prediction is the home team wins on a slow and steady pace Bedford 28 sfs 20
You may be right 1:12, but I can make a case for an 1-3 start.
OK Frank, we shall see how much you really know about Monroe County football.
Aug 23 @ Sterling Heights Stevenson- WIN
Aug 31 Toledo St. Francis- WIN but may be close than people think as St. Francis was underclassmen heavy
Sept 7 @ Pinckney- Toss up. On paper Bedford should win this one but it could be a challenge with a long road trip and Pinckney is no slouch either. I'll take Bedford by 7
Sept 14 @ Saline- Loss . Until someone knocks them off, Saline is king in the SEC
Sept 21 Ann Arbor Pioneer- WIN
Sept 28 Monroe- WIN in a close one, Monroe will have a talented roster but Bedford is the more disciplined team
Oct 5 @ Ann Arbor Skyline- WIN
Oct 12 Ann Arbor Huron- WIN
Oct 19 Coldwater- WIN
The Kicking Mules finish with a 8-1 record. Aside from Saline, the only team I could see sneaking one out against Bedford is Pinckney or maybe Monroe. September 14 is for the SEC Red championship