2023 Schedule Analysis: Riverview Pirates

By Frank Vajcner

We now make a stop next to Arnaldo’s Banquet Center, as well as the home of some delicious double cheeseburgers. Riverview tied the school record for wins last season, as they went 12-1 and reached the State Semifinals. How does the schedule set up for the Pirates in 2023?

2023 Schedule:

Aug 25: @ Detroit Renaissance

Aug 31: @ Airport

Sept 8: @ Jefferson

Sept 15: @ New Boston Huron

Sept 22: Flat Rock

Sept 29: @ SMCC

Oct 6: Milan

Oct 13: Grosse Ile

Oct 20: @ Monroe 

Gut-Check Game: With the Pirates having won their last 23 Huron League games, one might wonder where that streak could be halted? Well, look no further than the conference opener in Week 2, as Derek McLaughlin and company roll into Carleton for what many are considering the game of the year in the Huron League. During said 23-game streak, the Jets have been the only team to stay within single digits of the Pirates, including an 18-13 Pirate win last year at Don Lessner Field. Get your popcorn ready for this one.

Trap Game: Take your pick between a Week 4 trip to New Boston, and a Week 6 trip to the friendly confines of Navarre Field to face SMCC. The former comes at the end of a four-game road trip to open the season, while the latter comes after another potentially tricky game against Flat Rock. McLaughlin will need to keep his squad focused during an arduous stretch.

Snoozer: There isn’t one (and I refuse to put a blog team in this category for those who wish to keep burning down my door to put Jefferson here).

Non-Conference Challenge: The Pirates will hit the road for both non-conference games, as they will travel to Detroit Renaissance and Monroe in Weeks 1 and 9 respectively. The Phoenix may have been 4-6 last season, but played a murderous schedule with losses to Cass Tech, King, and De La Salle. The Trojans went 3-6 last season, including a 49-27 loss to the Pirates. There was also plenty of smack talk in the comment section between both fan bases.

Notable: The Pirates will only play three games at Don Lessner Field this year…The first four games will all be on the road.

Final Thoughts from Frank: With only three home games, the concession stand might as well prepare double cheeseburgers for all three games. The Week 2 game at Airport should be our Game of the Week, and the winner will be in the catbird’s seat for the Huron League. Even if the Pirates lose one game, I would still expect them to host at least one playoff game.

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