2020 Schedule Analysis: Ida Blue Streaks
By Frank Vajcner
It’s now time to head back to my alma mater in Ida. The Blue Streaks saw their six-year string of making the playoffs come to an end, as they finished 4-5. Will their schedule allow for a bounce-back that many expect?
2020 Schedule:
Aug 27: @ Airport
Sept 3: Whiteford
Sept 11: Dundee
Sept 18: @ Clinton
Sept 25: @ Hudson
Oct 2: Hillsdale
Oct 9: Onsted
Oct 16: @ Blissfield
Oct 23: @ Columbia Central
Gut-Check Game: at Clinton. You could make an argument for any one of Ida’s first four games, but I’m going with Clinton, who makes their long-awaited return to the LCAA. The Redskins are considered a favorite to win the conference in their first year back. Throw in the fact that Jeff Potter and company will venture there a week after a huge rivalry game with Dundee, and this game will go a long way to determining if Ida bounces back this year.
Trap Game: at Hudson. Before everyone from Ida starts to blow up my twitter notifications saying, “Hudson isn’t what they used to be…”, “They have a new coach…”, and other things that may or may not be G-rated, take note of where this game is at on the schedule. A trip to Hudson follows the road trip to Clinton, and concludes what is a brutal September slate. Plus, Hudson’s Thompson Field has been a house of horrors for the Blue Streaks, as they have won only once there since 2000. Blissfield is also worth a mention here, as that game falls between a visit from returning state semifinalist Onsted, and a trip to Columbia Central.
Snoozer: None.
Non-Conference Challenge: The Blue Streaks decided to stay in Monroe County for the out-of-conference slate. A trip to Carleton to face Airport opens the season. The Jets won last season’s meeting 37-24 en route to going 6-4 and qualifying for the playoffs. The real headliner is Whiteford returning to the schedule for the first time since 1976. The Bobcats went 5-5 last season with a young team while making the playoffs for an eighth consecutive season.
Notable: Even though Clinton was out of the LCAA from 2007-2020, the Redskins return to Ida’s schedule for the first time since 2011. The Streaks went 4-1 against the Redskins in a five-season span from 2007-2011, but Ida’s last win over Clinton as a conference opponent came back in 2004…Ida and Whiteford were members of the same conference from 1959 until 1974. Both were in the old River Raisin Conference until 1972, before jumping to the now-defunct Michigan-Ohio Border Conference in 1973…This is the first season since 2014 where both non-conference opponents are from Monroe County…The Streaks play three straight Monroe County opponents to open the season. The last time that happened was in 1959 (Dundee, Summerfield, and SMCC). After that, they will not face anyone from within county lines, which is a first since 1958…All but one team on the schedule (Hudson) finished with a winning record last season.
Thoughts from Frank: Much like Grosse Ile, if Ida makes a return to the playoffs, it will be well-earned. Of the teams on the schedule, only Columbia Central and Hudson did not make the playoffs in 2019. There’s enough talent and coaching to favor a big bounce back, but one of the more arduous schedules does not leave room for error.
Thoughts from Chris: Wow, this is an extremely tough schedule, but I expect Ida will manage their way through it in route to the playoffs.
Thoughts from Gary: love the opener and hope it continues vs Airport. The Bluestreaks then welcome Whiteford at home and follow that with a very tough LCAA schedule. Coach Potter will need to win some close ones if Ida is to make playoffs.
I would expect a bounce back season by the Blue Streaks. The schedule is tough, But Ida has a very good program.
My prediction is Ida and Blissfield battle it out for the LCAA title.
Can’t wait for that week 1 rematch Ida at Airport. Hopefully they make it a yearly week 1 tradition. Should be a heckuva game this year. Pretty sure Ida has alot coming back.