Monroe County to play Lenawee in All-Star football game on June 21
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 the 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.
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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.
Whiteford head coach Todd Thieken said that the clash between the two counties should help solidify the game for the future.
“I think this will bring long term consistency to the game,” he said. “It also creates a great environment for Southeast Michigan high school football to showcase their teams best.”
Whiteford traditionally plays several schools from Lenawee County, so some former Bobcats will square off against some familiar rivals. Bedford does not. They’ll face new faces.
“I think it is a great opportunity to keep the game going in both counties,” Mule head coach John Phillips said. “Our kids are excited about playing in a college stadium. It's going to be fun playing with all the Monroe County players against teams we don't see very often.
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.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: All-Star football game becomes a clash of Monroe, Lenawee counties
