Jacoby: Huron football faces a unique challenge in week one compared to Pioneer, Skyline
Huron football coach Antaiwn Mack admits it might be a bit of a disadvantage, but he’s like most people associated with high school football – he’s just glad to be back on the field.
The Ann Arbor schools, however, won’t be back on the football field until Sept. 25 – one week after most of the schools kick off their season this Friday.
With limited practices and few if any scrimmages that first week of games should give teams a definite advantage over the three Ann Arbor schools. But it only hurts Huron because the regular-season schedule put in place months ago has Skyline hosting Pioneer on Sept. 25.
Huron also caught another unfortunate break as the River Rats will face Saline in their first game of the season. The Hornets open up the 2020 season on Friday against Bedford. Saline is a local powerhouse that has been to the state playoffs eight consecutive years.
Also, the Saline game will be Huron’s only home contest in 2020. They play their other four games on the road.
Meanwhile, Pioneer will open up against Skyline in an opening night city rivalry showdown. The two schools have split the last two seasons with Pioneer winning last season 29-14 and Skyline coming out on top 37-27 in 2018.
Pioneer is coming off a strong season in 2019. They went 5-4 in the regular season and earned a spot in the state playoffs. They lost to Woodhaven 50-21 in the first round.
The Pioneers host Huron on Oct. 2, host Monroe on Oct. 9, play at Ypsilanti on Oct. 16 and play at Dexter on Oct. 23.
The Eagles are looking to bounce back from a tough season in which they won just one game (24-7 over Huron).
After the Pioneer game, Skyline will play Oct. 2 at home against Bedford, Oct. 9 at Tecumseh, Oct. 16 at Saline and Oct. 23 against Lincoln at home.
The Huron-Skyline game was originally scheduled for Sept. 4.
The River Rats, who won their first game last season but lost the rest, play at Pioneer on Oct. 2, at Ypsilanti on Oct. 9, at Adrian on Oct. 16 and at Flat Rock on Oct. 23.
