What to watch for during Cheboygan's Homecoming football game against Grayling

CHEBOYGAN – It’s Week 8, Homecoming time for the Cheboygan Chiefs .

If they want to still have a shot at making the postseason, the Chiefs (3-4) will likely need a win tonight over the Grayling Vikings (1-6) in a 7 p.m. clash at Western Avenue Field.

It’s been a rough stretch lately for the Chiefs , but being back home and facing a struggling opponent might be just what they need. But when you play the Vikings, it’s certainly never easy.

Here’s what I’m keeping an eye on during Friday’s crucial game for Cheboygan.

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Will Chiefs build off last week’s rushing performance?

Look, it was a lopsided score when the Chiefs lost at Kingsley in Week 7, but as I mentioned in my preview earlier this week, my opinion of that contest was it wasn’t as bad as the score indicated.

In fact, Cheboygan showed some promising signs on the offensive side of the ball against the Stags, as senior Evan Benson had a big night with 113 yards on the ground , while junior Jack Ekdahl made his presence known in the running game and on special teams.

If the Chiefs want to snap their three-game losing skid, running the ball efficiently would certainly help, whether it’s Sean Postula, Gabe Sabolsky, Nolan Schley, Benson or Ekdahl. Cheboygan certainly has the horses to have a big offensive night, but they’ve got to go out there and do it.

Stopping the Grayling passing game

It seems like every season the Vikings feature a quality passing game, and I don’t expect Friday to be different.

The Chiefs have held their own as far as rushing defense goes this fall, but when they’ve faced teams who air it out (Boyne City), it hasn’t gone too well. Sure, Grayling’s likely going to come up with some big pass plays, but if Cheboygan can keep them at a premium and perhaps force a turnover or two in the process, then they have a great shot to come out on top.

But again, it’s easier said than done against a Grayling team that still has playmakers.

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Who’s going to be king and queen?

Look, this doesn’t actually relate to the game on the field, but with four Cheboygan football players (Mantas Jett, Luke Hoskins, Benson and Sabolsky) all on Homecoming court, why not throw out a little pre-ceremony prediction?

I’ve been dead wrong on these picks in the past, but I’m going to go with Hoskins being named king and fellow senior Lilly Wright as queen. I’m preparing to be wrong, but figured I’d give it a shot since it’s already been an exciting week, especially with the powder puff game being played on Monday.

Let’s see if I’m right for once!

Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com . Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: What to watch for during Cheboygan's Homecoming football game against Grayling