We now get to take a look at one of the new kids on the blog as Frank continues his schedule analysis series. Summerfield, come on down!
Schedule:
Aug 24 Erie Mason
Aug 31 Pittsford
Sept 7 Whiteford
Sept 14 @ Britton-Deerfield
Sept 21 Whitmore Lake
Sept 28 @ Clinton
Oct 5 Adrian Madison
Oct 12 Sand Creek
Oct 19 @ Morenci
Gut Check Game: Whiteford. When the defending state champions come to town, it’s always a measuring stick game. When said defending champ is your biggest rival, buckle up. Whiteford has won the last five meetings, including three in the playoffs. However, the Bulldogs were the only team to hold Whiteford under 40 points when they lost to the Bobcats 36-20 in the playoffs last year. Expect a wild one in Petersburg in Week 3.
Trap Game: at Morenci. Morenci has been a thorn in the side of the Bulldogs. Summerfield ended a five-game losing skid to Morenci on the road in the playoffs last season. But this time, Morenci will be looking for revenge.
Snoozer: Adrian Madison went 0-9 last year, got outscored 424-58, and was shut out four times, including a 38-0 loss to the Bulldogs. Need we say more?
Non-Con Challenge: Pittsford. The Bulldogs host the Wildcats in Week 2 for the second of a home-and-home. The Bulldogs won the last meeting 18-6. Pittsford has also qualified for the playoffs six of the last seven years, and is coming off of a 9-2 season where they reached the second round.
Notable: Summerfield is one of five teams we cover who does not have any new opponents. The others are Erie Mason, Flat Rock, Jefferson, and Riverview.
Final Analysis: Ryan LeFerve kept the Bulldogs rolling in his first year, as they made the playoffs for the fourth straight year, and eighth time in the last ten years. Extending the streak to a school-record five years is definitely doable, but road trips to Clinton and Morenci loom as big hurdles in the back half of the season.
Thoughts from Chris: Always nice to have a six game home schedule when trying to qualify for he playoffs for a 5th consecutive season. Erie Mason and Pittsford should give a nice two week test before the Bulldogs host rival Whiteford in the Tri-County Conference opener.
Thoughts from Gary: The newcomers to the blog face an improved Erie Mason in week 1 and a solid Pittsford squad in week 2, rounding out non league play. While the TCC offers several winnable games, 3 games stand out as make or break contests for the Bulldogs. Whiteford of course is currently the standard in D8, while huge road games at Clinton and Morenci make what appears to be a very tough schedule.
Thoughts from Chris: Always nice to have a six game home schedule when trying to qualify for he playoffs for a 5th consecutive season. Erie Mason and Pittsford should give a nice two week test before the Bulldogs host rival Whiteford in the Tri-County Conference opener.
Thoughts from Gary: The newcomers to the blog face an improved Erie Mason in week 1 and a solid Pittsford squad in week 2, rounding out non league play. While the TCC offers several winnable games, 3 games stand out as make or break contests for the Bulldogs. Whiteford of course is currently the standard in D8, while huge road games at Clinton and Morenci make what appears to be a very tough schedule.
My predictions for what it's worth:
ERIE MASON- L , Mason QB is the real deal
PITTSFORD- W
WHITEFORD- L
B.D.- W (How does B.D. even have a team?)
WHITMORE LAKE- W
CLINTON- L
MADISON- W (Amazed at how they have fallen so quickly)
SAND CREEK- W
MORENCI- L
Summerfield maybe sneaks in at 5-4