While the long-standing streak of championships came to an end in 2019, the Coyotes under head coach Scott Shankel have found themselves back on track of championship success over the past three seasons. Reed City hits the gridiron after a shared conference, district, and regional championship in the 2022 campaign with plenty of high expectations for similar success this fall.

 

PERSONNEL

Key Departures: RB/CB Bryson Hughes, QB/DB Xavier Allen, WR/DB Seth Jackson, OL/DL Kyle Crusan

Key Returners: QB/LB Max Hammond, TE/DB Spencer Hansen, RB/DB John Ondrus, RB/DB Zach Erickson

While the team did lose a lot of experience and scoring from last year’s team, the upstart young core does bring a lot of intrigue heading into the 2023 season. A slight loss in speed will be substituted by what seems to be a slight gain in size on both sides of the ball. The biggest question mark likely lies in the trenches, as Reed City will endure one of the largest turnovers at that position in many years.

“No one has spots right now,” Shankel said. “Everything’s open. You’re going to have to compete. We are getting some of our three-year players to step up into leadership roles.”

 

SCHEDULE

Notable Games: Week 2 vs. Howard-City Tri-County, Week 4 @ Big Rapids, Week 9 vs. Cadillac

Using a strength of schedule formula based on last year’s results, Reed City enters the 2023 season with the hardest 9-game slate of all the teams in the CSAA. With the switch from Muskegon Orchard View to Kingsley in Week 1, Reed City opponents average out to 37.12 playoff points from the 2022 season. This number is three points than the league average and about four points higher than last year. Tough schedules have worked out for Reed City in the past preparing for a postseason run, but a highly anticipated improved CSAA conference could create the hardest regular season journey for the Coyotes in many years.

“We like to challenge our kids,” Shankel said. “Each week is brand new and we're not looking overlooking anybody. We will compete day in and day out and hopefully compete for a CSAA conference championship. We know we got a tough test with our conference.”

 

THINGS TO WATCH

• Early season home stand
  • The Coyotes begin the season with three straight home games to start the season followed by a road game only 13 miles down the road in Big Rapids and another home game in week five. This first stretch could bring momentum for Reed City going into a late season road stand and a tough week nine matchup with Cadillac. Alumni Field has treated Reed City well in recent memory, as they have only lost one game on home turf in their last 39 games.
• Offensive power
  • Known for a gritty, tough play style, Coach Shankel’s squad has shown their ability and willingness to stretch the field over the past few seasons. The Coyotes scored a whopping 543 points last season, over 160 points more than each of the past three seasons. With the consideration of having a younger offensive line, it will be interesting to see if Reed City will look to expand the playbook ahead of this fall campaign.
• Roster health
  • The saying goes “the best ability is availability.” With the number of talented players on the roster, coach Shankel believes this team can be successful. What matters most? Having everyone healthy. The Coyotes have had some impactful injuries to their rosters over the last couple seasons, so keeping starters on the field may be as important as ever this year with a lack of experience in the depth charts this season.

Reed City begin their season on Aug. 25 at home against the Kinglsey Stags. Listen to every play all season long starting at 6:40 P.M. on Y102 on 102.3 FM, the WYBR app, and WYBR.com. Be sure to subscribe to the Big Rapids Daily News for full CSAA football coverage all season long.