The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Chelsea to open at Huron
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: June 26, 2008
Though it's still two months away, it's never too early around these parts to talk Chelsea football.
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Earlier this week, the Michigan High School Athletic Association released its 2008 gridiron schedules.
The Bulldogs, coming off a year in which they finished 11-1 overall, lost to East Lansing 24-16 in a Division 3 state regional final last season. The loss left Chelsea two wins away from a state championship.
This season's schedule includes two games against teams that made the state playoffs a year ago. Three of Chelsea's first five games are at home. In total, the Bulldogs play five home contests. Teams visiting Jerry Niehaus Field this upcoming season include Northville, Ypsilanti Lincoln, Dexter, Tecumseh and Temperance Bedford.
One of the top returnees for the Bulldogs this season will be junior running back Nick Hill (5-foot-9, 180). Hill already has caught the attention of numerous Division 1 schools.
For the first time in three years, Chelsea will not open the year playing in the Big Day Prep Showdown at Eastern Michigan University. This season, the Bulldogs open the year at Southeastern Conference foe Ann Arbor Huron Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. The River Rats were 4-5 last year. Chelsea last played Huron in 2001 winning 21-14.
In Week 2, the Bulldogs host Northville in its only nonleague game of the regular season. The Mustangs, out of the newly formed Kensington Lakes Conference finished 1-8 overall last season. Northville hasn't made the state playoffs since 2000, when it reached the Division 1 regional final. The contest Sept. 5 will be the first ever meeting between Chelsea and Northville.
On Sept. 12, the Bulldogs visit Saline. The Hornets ended up 5-4 a year ago. Last season, Chelsea beat Saline 40-28. The Hornets feature one of the state's best linebackers in senior Matt Price (6-3, 235).
In Week 4, the Bulldogs host Ypsilanti Lincoln. Last year, the Railsplitters finished 0-9. Chelsea defeated Lincoln 48-26 in 2007.
On Sept 26, the Bulldogs host county rival Dexter. The Dreadnaughts, who've never made the state playoffs, finished 3-6 last season. Chelsea beat Dexter 21-16 a year ago.
On Oct. 3, the Bulldogs visit Adrian in what could be a marquee match-up. The Maples, who were 8-3 last season, appear to have one of their best teams in years heading into the 2008 campaign. Chelsea beat Adrian twice last year, 21-10 in the regular season, and 24-14 in the state playoff district final. Returning to lead the Maples are senior running back Undra Peterson (6-1, 190), senior defensive end Dylan Farrington (6-5, 230), senior wide receiver Jerrod Dillard (6-6, 195) and senior center Adam Barker (6-3, 260). Adrian returns all five offensive line starters.
On Oct. 10, Chelsea travels to Ann Arbor Pioneer. The Pioneers were 3-6 last season. The Bulldogs beat Ann Arbor 30-16 in 2007.
In Week 8, Chelsea hosts Tecumseh. Last year the Indians, who finished 6-4, lost twice to the Bulldogs. In the regular season, Chelsea prevailed 41-26, while the Bulldogs won 46-14 in the first round of the Division 3 state playoffs. Tecumseh returns one of the state's best players in senior running back-safety Zach Galloway (6-4, 210).
On Oct. 24, Chelsea closes the regular season hosting Temperance Bedford. A year ago, the Mules finished 3-6. The Bulldogs defeated Bedford 34-7 last season.
Chelsea has qualified for the state playoffs nine consecutive seasons.
In the last two years, the Bulldogs have an overall record of 21-3. Chelsea lone losses during that stretch have come to Saline in the regular season 37-28 and to East Lansing 24-16 and Fowlerville 28-25 in the playoffs.
In the last four years, the Bulldogs have an overall record of 36-9.
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