10 Jackson-area conference football games to watch in 2020

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JACKSON – The high school football season is still in limbo due to the impact of the coronavirus but that’s not going to stop us from being optimistic and forecasting a few games you should add to your calendars this fall.

Whether or not you should etch those in stone or scribble them down with a No. 2 pencil remains to be seen. One thing we know for certain is that football practice begins statewide on Aug. 10 and the opening kickoff for the football season is slated for Aug. 27.

Last season, 10 Jackson-area teams made the playoffs, but many of those same squads squared off on the gridiron during the regular season to determine conference champions and playoff seeding. Before we dive into team previews, key returning players and predictions on who might be hoisting state championship trophies at Ford Field in November, we wanted to take a look at a few local league games we believe will be worth the price of admission.

Below is our list of 10 Jackson-area conference football games you won’t want to miss in 2020, presented in chronological order.

Jackson vs. Chelsea (Sept. 11)

The landscape of the SEC White has been shaped by the matchup between Jackson and Chelsea the past two seasons, so this game should be circled on the calendar again in 2020. Last year, the Bulldogs used a dominant defensive effort to record a 13-0 road win over the Vikings on their way to an SEC White title, a state semifinal appearance and a 12-1 overall record. The winner of this matchup should have an early advantage in the conference title race and may fuel another long postseason run to the victor as well.

Hillsdale at Onsted (Sept. 11)

The Hornets used a powerful running game and smothering defense to win 11 straight games last year, including a 28-19 win over Onsted during the regular season. The two programs met again two months later in the Division 6 regionals and the Wildcats came away with a 12-0 win. Onsted lost to Monroe St. Mary Catholic (17-14) a week later in the state semifinals. This year’s matchup could once again determine the Lenawee County Athletic Association title race and may even preview a potential playoff rematch.

Lumen Christi at Marshall (Sept. 18)

The Titans completed their second straight 7-0 run through the Interstate 8 Conference last fall, but that streak was in serious jeopardy during a Sept. 27, 2019, game against the Marshall Redhawks. Lumen Christi survived with a 21-14 win on their way to a 12-1 record and a state runner-up finish in Division 6. This year, the Titans will have a lot of key players to replace as they head over to Marshall for a league showdown in Week 4. The Redhawks will be hungry for an upset in front of their home fans, which could give this matchup some early season playoff vibes and be a pivotal game in the conference title race.

Grass Lake at Michigan Center (Sept. 25)

The Warriors and Cardinals have had some intense battles in recent years, including a postseason clash in 2018. Michigan Center struggled during the opening half of the 2019 season, but they still managed to put together one of their best defensive efforts against their rivals from Grass Lake in Week 5. The Warriors used some special teams sparks to hold off the Cardinals for a 21-14 win and continue their pursuit of the Cascades Conference title. Both teams should be in the hunt for the league crown in 2020 and a potential playoff berth, which just adds more fuel to the intensity of these two rivals.

Jonesville vs. Reading (Oct. 2)

The Rangers haven’t lost a Big 8 Conference game since 2016, but they should have plenty of challengers this fall. One of the top contenders in the league will be the Jonesville Comets, who started 5-1 last season before key injuries derailed a potential run at conference and postseason glory. Jonesville will host Reading in Week 7 this year in a game that could likely determine whether the Rangers will win the Big 8 for the fourth season in a row.

Addison at Grass Lake (Oct. 9)

The Panthers and Warriors were the class of the Cascades Conference last season and met for one of the most entertaining games of 2019. Addison’s Frederick Bills found Travis Whitaker for a 33-yard pass with 40 seconds left in the game to push the Panthers to a wild 20-16 home win over the Warriors. This year, Grass Lake will host Addison in Week 7 in a game that may determine the league title again in 2020.

Manchester vs. Grass Lake (Oct. 16)

The Flying Dutchmen finished 5-5 last season, losing all five contests to playoff-qualifying teams. Two of those losses came at the hands of Cascades Conference foe Grass Lake, who defeated Manchester 25-8 in Week 8 and 30-22 in the district playoff opener. First-year head coach Ben Pack will lead the Flying Dutchmen into battle in Week 8 this season with a chance to make a statement as they host the Warriors in the final league game of the regular season.

Lumen Christi at Parma Western (Oct. 16)

Few teams challenged the Titans as thoroughly as the Panthers last season. The two Interstate 8 Conference rivals collided in Week 2 of the 2019 season with Lumen Christi coming away with a 22-7 victory in front of their home crowd. This year, the defending conference champs will have to survive a road trip against the Panthers in Week 8 if they expect to reign again in 2020.

Jackson at Dexter (Oct. 16)

The Dreadnaughts got their revenge over the Vikings in 2019, as they scored a 57-21 decision over the defending SEC White champions on their way to an 8-2 season. In 2018, Jackson defeated Dexter 29-19 on their way to a perfect 9-0 regular season and a conference championship. Will the Vikings enact their own revenge in 2020 or will the Dreadnaughts hold serve in the league standings?

Hillsdale vs. Clinton (Oct. 23)

It seems fitting that the last week of the Lenawee County Athletic Association schedule would pit the defending league champions against their newest challenger. Clinton joins the LCAA this fall in hopes of causing some havoc in their first run through the league schedule and will have the last crack at dethroning Hillsdale in a Week 9 showdown. A road game against the Hornets will be anything but easy, but Clinton should be a quality challenger nonetheless.

HONORABLE MENTION

Leslie vs. Olivet (Sept. 18)

The Blackhawks lost four games by one score or less last fall and should have enough firepower coming back in 2020 to make a push toward a playoff appearance. They’ll get a chance to make an early statement with a home game against defending Greater Lansing Activates Conference champion Olivet in Week 4.

Columbia Central vs. Hillsdale (Oct. 9)

The Golden Eagles were left off the brackets last fall despite posting a winning season at 5-4. The team lost a pivotal LCAA matchup at Hillsdale in Week 8 (21-6) that could have helped them automatically qualify for the postseason. This year, Columbia Central gets a chance to host the Hornets in Week 7 and cement their spot in the playoffs and possibly contend for a league championship.

Homer vs. Concord (Oct. 9)

The Trojans held off the Yellowjackets for an 18-13 win last season that pushed their series winning streak to three games. Both teams will likely be battling for conference and postseason positioning by their Week 7 matchup this fall, so the team that comes out on top in this one should carry some positive momentum into the playoffs.

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