Lenawee, Monroe County to meet in all-star football matchup
Monroe and Lenawee County football fans are banking on one game being better than two.
Next month, seniors from the two counties will face off in the first Lenawee County vs. Monroe County football All-Star game. The county vs. county idea that was floated a couple of years ago by coaches and athletic directors has finally come to fruition.
“The timing is right,” said Britton Deerfield coach Erik Johnson, one of the organizers for the game. “The rosters have been down the last couple of seasons. We got together and felt this would be a benefit to both counties.”
The game will be played Friday, June 21, at Siena Heights University. The rosters are still being determined but it looks as though both counties will have around 25 participants.
Dundee coach Steve Ayre said the numbers were one of issues, but in the end, giving kids a different and unique experience was also a priority.
“We are very excited,” said Dundee coach Steve Ayre. “Numbers were not the only reason. The opportunity to expand and present a different experience was a driving factor. Most of the Monroe County coaches were very excited.”
The rules will be modified from a typical high school football game. There will be no kickoffs, players can field, but not return punts, and there is no rushing a field goal attempt.
Both counties have operated very similar all-star games in the past. The all-star game dates back 25 years in Monroe County and since 2017 in Lenawee County. Both counties took 2020 off due to COVID.
Madison head coach Scott Gallagher said the clash between the two counties will help solidify the game for the future.
“The new format for the county all-star game is going to be fun,” Gallagher said. “It is going to create a fun little rivalry between two great football counties, and I also feel the quality of the game will be better.”
As the number of players has decreased in the last couple of years, more players have had to play both offense and defense during the game, after not playing football for six or more months. Gallagher said this arrangement could decrease the need for that.
“There will be less players playing both sides of the ball, which will result in better focus, execution and less fatigue, hopefully making a very exciting night for everyone,” he said.
Hudson head coach Dan Rogers agreed.
“I like the new format,” he said. “With the low numbers that we have had in the all-star game this is a great way to give the young men another opportunity to put on the pads and play one more football game.”
The head coaches will be Jaleel Brown of Adrian for Lenawee County and T.J. Thieken from Whiteford, who will coach the Monroe County team. Both are assistant coaches at their respective schools.
It’s not the first time the two counties have faced off in an all-star situation. Monroe and Lenawee County played against each other in boys’ and girls’ basketball for a couple seasons starting in 2003.
Last year Lenawee County played a group of Hillsdale County all-stars in baseball.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Lenawee County, Monroe County to meet in all-star football game
