Football: Local teams ready to kick things off with high expectations
High school sports kicked off last week with practices with games scheduled in the coming weeks in the Southeastern Conference Red Division. It should be another exciting year on the gridiron with many of the same teams as last year competing for the top spots.
Dexter will be looking to tackle its fifth straight postseason appearance, and while the Dreadnaughts lost some key players off last year’s 5-5 team including quarterback Cal Bavineau, Dexter is loaded again in 2022.
The Dreadnaughts open the season at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27 against Grosse Pointe South in the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State. The Blue Devils reached the playoffs last season and finished the year at 6-5.
Dexter lost its last three games last season, two by a total of three points, including a 49-48 loss to Lakeview in a first-round playoff game. The Dreadnaughts open the league schedule at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2 at home against Skyline.
The Huron River Rats look to continue to build on a program that went from winless seasons to one of the best in the state in just two seasons. The Rivers Rats won seven straight after starting last year at 1-1. They lost a close 14-10 playoff game to eventual state champion Belleville – the Tigers closest game in their amazing run.
The River Rats will find out just how good they are in the first two weeks of the season. They kick things off at home with a non-league game against Lapeer at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26. The Lightning went 7-3 last year and reached the playoffs for an eighth straight season.
Huron’s first league game is Sept. 2 against Saline in an early season SEC Red showdown.
Skyline will open the season on the road on Thursday, Aug. 25 against an always strong Pinckney team. The Pirates have reached the playoffs three straight seasons and defeated Skyline 48-21 in last year’s season opener.
The Eagles look to turn things around in 2022. They were winless last year after winning just one game in each of the two previous seasons.
Pioneer also hopes for better things this season after a disappointing 1-8 season. The Pioneers, with new head coach Calvin Griggs taking over the program, will kick things off at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25 at New Baltimore Anchor Bay. In last year’s opener, Anchor Bay scored a 37-14 win.
Pioneer will kick off the SEC schedule also on the road on Sept. 2 against Temperance Bedford. Pioneer’s first home game will be a big one – Sept. 9 vs. Huron.
