Hurons, Vikings in set for football season openers

by Peter Jakey—Managing Editor

A new high school football season has arrived for Rogers City and Posen. Some traveling will be involved to see the local teams in action as the Hurons and Vikings open about 200 miles apart.

The Hurons are at Au Gres for the first time ever, while there’s nothing new about Posen’s opponent in the opener.

The Vikings have faced Cedarville in every opener since 1972, except for three: 1988, 1989 and 2010.

The games, for the most part, have been close. The 1972 contest ended in a 12-all tie.

RCHS Hurons varsity football team is in action at AuGres Aug. 29.

Since 1998, the matchups have involved streaks. Posen won five in a row from 1998 to 2004, before the Trojans current streak of eight. It took a miracle finish to beat the Vikes last year in Posen, 42-40.

Cedarville is coming off its 10th-straight winning season. Last year, the Upper Peninsula school, finished with an 8-2 record and lost to Engadine, 28-26, in the opening round of the playoffs.

The Trojans come in with a senior-laden group of athletes led by veteran quarterback Joe Duncan.  Head coach Scott Barr has guided the program to a 27-5 record the last three years.

“This could be a big year for Cedarville with the seniors and the talent that they have,” said St. Ignace News sports writer Dave Latva, who has covered the Trojans for years. “They have some linemen that are pretty good.”

Cedarville continues to co-op with De Tour, who has five standout players on this year’s team.

Game time tonight (Aug. 29) is at 7 p.m. They play their first home game Friday Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. hosting eight-man state runner-up Rapid River.

AU GRES IS coming off a 2-7 season and has a new head coach this year. Chad Zeien will be using a spread offense.

The Wolverines, who were 6-4 in 2012 and made the playoffs, will try to utilize its speeds as they transition from a full-house offense. The coach believes the spread gives them the best chance to win.

According to the Arenac Independent, Au Gres has some depth at skilled positions, but it is not as deep on the line. They are relatively inexperienced and need their seniors to provide the leadership for the less-experienced players. The Wolverines scored 138 points last year, but it was on

defense where the numbers get crooked. They gave up 341 – the most in school history.

The Hurons hosted Au Gres a year ago and took the first meeting between the schools, 30-20. They won two of their three games in the first two weeks of the season.

Historically, Rogers City has had tremendous success in the season-opener, winning 15 of 17 games.

The varsity will take the field at 7 p.m., following a junior varsity matchup between the two teams that starts at 4 p.m.

For more details on both the Viking and Huron football teams, read the fall sports supplement in this week’s edition.

(The Hurons’ game will be broadcast on 99.9 The Wave with Karl Grambau, Karl Momrik and Andy Grambau calling the action)