Cheboygan teams have work cut out for them in brand new Northern Shores Conference

CHEBOYGAN – A new era is quickly approaching.

Out with the Straits Area Conference and in with the Northern Shores Conference , which Cheboygan will be a part of for the 2024-25 high school sports year.

The news of this league broke in April 2023 and Cheboygan will now compete against Boyne City, Elk Rapids, Grayling, Kingsley, Charlevoix, Harbor Springs and Kalkaska.

With athletic events returning in August, here’s some early thoughts as Cheboygan transitions to the NSC .

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A great challenge

When I look at the quality of teams in the NSC, it’ll be a big challenge for the Cheboygan teams, who are eyeing the same success they had in the SAC or elsewhere.

But when it comes to this fall, it won’t be easy for the Chiefs, especially when you look at some of the other programs in sports like volleyball, boys soccer and golf.

For Cheboygan volleyball, which won the last two SAC titles, winning the NSC will be more difficult when you're facing Boyne City, Elk Rapids and Charlevoix, among others. The Chiefs have had some exciting matches against the Ramblers in recent years, so it’ll be even more fun when there’s more stakes on the line.

As for soccer, the Cheboygan boys will face many strong teams, including powerhouse Elk Rapids, one of the best programs in the state. The Chiefs should field a solid squad, but there’s no doubt the competition will be stiffer.

For golf, I’m honestly not sure what to expect, especially considering Cheboygan’s going to field almost a completely different squad compared to last year’s Chiefs, who won multiple invitationals and broke some records.

Either way, Cheboygan’s fall teams will have their work cut out for them against their new NSC foes.

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Football remains the same

One Cheboygan sport that stays put and won’t be a part of the NSC is football, a member of the Northern Michigan Football League Legends Division.

Even though the NSC doesn’t apply to football, the Chiefs will face many of the same opponents, including Boyne City, Kingsley, Grayling, Kalkaska and Elk Rapids. This will almost feel like the NSC for football with all these teams, that's for sure.

If the Chiefs – led by new head coach Bill Nesbitt – are to make some noise and perhaps challenge for a playoff spot, they’ll have to go through some quality teams along the way.

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Better competition will only help

Once fall concludes, it’ll be fascinating to see how the Cheboygan teams fare in the winter and spring campaigns.

For one, I’m looking forward to the Chiefs taking on better opponents in different sports. Even though it’s several months away, softball will be a fun sport to follow in this new conference.

For the last three years, the Chiefs steamrolled through everyone in the SAC and captured three titles. But with better competition in the NSC, it’ll be a good thing for teams like Cheboygan softball, baseball, basketball and others, who want to face quality foes before tough postseason clashes arrive.

When you collide with better competition, it can help make you stronger, so I’m looking forward to seeing how Cheboygan teams compete and adjust against their new opponents.

Let the games begin – soon.

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: Cheboygan teams have work cut out for them in brand new Northern Shores Conference