It seems crazy to be writing about the high school football season opening up in the middle of September. Each year it seemed football crept more and more into the summer and getting started right before school was back in session. However, some students still aren’t back to school and when school is in session classes are limited. Friday night will also be different. There will be very limited attendance with each athlete receiving two tickets to Friday nights game. So while things may seem strange, I want everyone to think about one thing..the kids! No matter who, what, where, why, or when, the fact is these kids have the chance to play the game they love to play with their and against their friends. So do what you can Friday, tune into 92.3 FM, watch a stream, but respect the kids and make sure they get the best chance to make this work. With that being said, lets focus on some football!
Shepherd hosts Clare to open the 2020 season. The last two years of this old school have been owned by Clare, by the clip of 83 to 7! Now, once again this year is strange, I’m not going to practices to catch up with coached before the season starts. Also, a shout out to these coaches making the best of the situation they have been given…So while I know I would make Clare a favorite Friday, this year especially this week who knows what may happen. So we are going to look back at this ole’ US 127 rivalry.yrs
These two teams have played a lot, this will be match up number 37. In fact Clare has only played 7 school more than Shepherd all current or former members of the Jack Pine conference and Shepherd has only played has only played Ithaca, Breckenridge, and St Louis, and Freeland more than the Pioneer. So while this rivalry may seem to to the kids playing, anyone who grew up here knows this rivalry goes waaayyyy back!
According to Michigan-football.com the Bluejays beat the Pioneers 25-7 to open up the 1950 season! Clare got the better of the Jays in the 50′ & 60’s. Shepherd took over the rivalry through the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s to take the overall lead in the rivalry 23-13, as the two teams often played to open the season against each other. They haven’t opened the season against each other since 1999, until now! One other side note, while Shepherd has been slightly bigger over the years the two are quite close in enrollment and have never met in the MHSAA playoffs, well this may be the year with some possible regionalized (made up a word but you get it) tournaments! Here is a list of next Fridays Mid Michigan games!
St Louis hosts Hemlock- Beaverton @ Sanford Meridian- Midland @ Saginaw High- Houghton Lake @ Roscommon- Chip Hills hosts Reed City- Ithaca hosts Saginaw Nouvel- Midland Bullock Creek hosts Carrolton- Midland Dow hosts Bay City Central- The Mt Pleasant Oilers host Bay City Western- Alma hosts Saginaw Swan Valley- Central Montcalm is at Big Rapids- Breckenridge hosts Coleman- Beal City is in Evart- Farwell hosts Gladwin- Harrison hosts Pinconning- and of course Shepherd hosting Clare- In 8 man football Merrill hosts Gobles and in 8 man on Saturday Ashley is at Bear Lake- Vestaburg hosts Onekema and Sacred Heart hosts Carsonville Port Sanilac
