Taking a look at the Pellston Hornets 2023 football schedule
PELLSTON – A new era is about to begin in Pellston.
Following a successful six-year run by previous head coach Jack Carter, former assistant coach and Petoskey alum Vince DeAgostino takes the reigns for Pellston varsity football this fall.
It was an up-and-down 2022 campaign for the Hornets, but they did finish strong.
As DeAgostino’s first season approaches, let’s break down the 2023 schedule for a Hornets team looking to get back on the winning side of things.
RESULTS IN 2022
3-6 overall; 2-3 Ski Valley 8-Man Conference; Didn’t qualify for playoffs
SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN
Vs. Forest Area, Friday, Aug. 25, 1 p.m.
Like last fall, the Hornets will begin their season against Forest Area in a Friday afternoon clash. Only this time, they’ll face the Warriors at Sam McClutchey Field.
Last year’s game went very well for the Hornets, who shut out the Warriors in a 60-0 victory. Can the Hornets replicate what they did to the Warriors a year ago? I believe they certainly have the pieces to do so.
A YEAR AGO: Pellston shuts out Forest Area in football opener
MORE: Cameron's big rushing night lifts Hornets at Onaway
At St. Ignace, Thursday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m.
This will surely be the first true test for DeAgostino's Hornets, who travel to the U.P. to clash with a Saints team that’s coming off a 7-3 campaign.
If the Hornets hope to have success, a fast start will be pivotal, because the Saints should be solid again.
At Bellaire, Friday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.
As I said in the Inland Lakes and Onaway schedule breakdowns, I’m just hoping the Eagles of Bellaire will field a team in 2023. If so, it’ll be a Ski Valley game for the Hornets.
The last time these two teams faced off, it was a 48-6 victory in favor of the Hornets in 2021.
At Central Lake, Saturday, Sept. 16, 1 p.m.
This has been one of the tougher matchups in recent years for the Hornets, who couldn’t slow down the offense of the Trojans in a 44-28 home defeat last season.
So, the Hornets will need to be significantly improved on defense if they hope to turn the tables on the Trojans in 2023. Saturday games are always fun, and this one should be a good battle.
Vs. Mesick, Friday, Sept. 22, 7 p.m.
The Hornets have shown in the past that they’re not afraid to load up with a tough schedule, and Mesick is one of those 8-Man programs that's played well over the years.
For the Hornets, it’ll be an opportunity to get revenge after suffering a 60-26 road loss to the Bulldogs in 2022. Either way, facing a quality non-conference opponent always seems to make your team stronger down the road.
Vs. Gaylord St. Mary, Friday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m.
If the Hornets want to establish themselves as a Ski Valley title contender, they’ll have to go through a top-notch Snowbirds program. Last year didn’t go well for the Hornets, who were thrashed 62-12 in Gaylord.
The Snowbirds bring back their fair share of playmakers, so will the Hornets be able to counter them? That remains to be seen. Prior to the 2022 campaign, the Hornets and Snowbirds had some exciting battles on the gridiron.
At Inland Lakes, Saturday, Oct. 7, 1 p.m.
The gauntlet continues here for the Hornets, who follow up a home clash with Gaylord with a road showdown against the two-time defending Ski Valley champions.
In 2022, the Hornets stayed within striking distance during the first half. However, the Bulldogs found their swagger over the final two quarters and coasted to victory.
The Hornets have struggled for decades against the Bulldogs, who have won 15 straight over Pellston dating back to 2001.
Vs. Onaway, Friday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m.
This game has been a lot of fun to watch over the previous two seasons. In Pellston two years ago, the Hornets fended off a furious Onaway comeback attempt. Last fall, the Hornets used their ground game to wear out the Cardinals and earn a much-needed victory.
With both teams coming off tough 2022 campaigns, a late-season win would be a major boost to either squad.
Vs. TBA, Friday, Oct. 20
The Hornets haven’t announced a Week 9 opponent yet, but they should be able to schedule someone at some point.
As for last year’s Week 9 game, it was a memorable one for the Hornets, who finished their season on a two-game winning streak by rolling to a 66-26 victory over Rapid River at home.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Taking a look at the Pellston Hornets 2023 football schedule
