What are the most intriguing games during Inland Lakes football's 2024 season?

INDIAN RIVER – Seconds – literally seconds – from winning a state championship.

Last November, the Inland Lakes Bulldogs went on a memorable run despite falling just short in a MHSAA 8-Player Division 1 final clash to Martin in Marquette.

Now, the Bulldogs will try to do it all over again and reach the Superior Dome this fall .

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With Inland Lakes poised for another big season, let’s take a look at the Bulldogs’ 2024 football schedule.

Most Anticipated Game: Vs. Gaylord St. Mary, Friday, Oct. 25 – If the three-time defending Ski Valley Conference champions want to defend their crown once more, they’ll have to get through an always-solid St. Mary squad. While the Snowbirds might not be as talented as they’ve been in the past, they still have playmakers. The Bulldogs have beaten the Snowbirds three times in three years, but the last two have gone down to the wire.

Hardest Matchup: Vs. Bridgman, Saturday, Sept. 21 – This will be a major test for the Bulldogs against the Bees, who are a combined 28-0 over the last three seasons, including a 9-0 clip in 2023. Because of the MHSAA’s rules on the size of the school, Bridgman wasn’t allowed to compete in the postseason last year. This is the definition of an elite opponent.

Homecoming Clash: Vs. Rogers City, Friday, Oct. 4 – This is an exciting early-October showdown as the Bulldogs clash with a Rogers City program that’s made the playoffs in four of the past five seasons. Inland Lakes will be the favorites here, but the Hurons could make things interesting. If anything, it’s one of the most intriguing matchups of the fall.

Key rematch: At Central Lake, Thursday, Sept. 12 – The Bulldogs have had success in this contest, but the Trojans have fought tooth-and-nail in recent matchups, including a 44-30 loss in Indian River last campaign. The Bulldogs might be too strong again this year, but the Trojans aren't a pushover by any stretch of the imagination.

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Rivalry Clash: At Onaway, Thursday, Aug. 29 – With no actual game played on the field last fall, the two M-68 rivals will battle in Onaway. Last year, the Cardinals forfeited right before the start of the campaign. The Cardinals graduated multiple key players from their winning team in 2023, so it might be a tall order to stay within striking distance against a loaded Inland Lakes squad. But hey, anything can happen in rivalry games.

2024 INLAND LAKES FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Week 1: At Onaway, Thursday, Aug. 29, 7 p.m.

Week 2: Vs. Forest Area, Friday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m.

Week 3: At Central Lake, Thursday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.

Week 4: Vs. Bridgman, Saturday, Sept. 21, 1 p.m.

Week 5: At Ishpeming, Saturday, Sept. 28, 1 p.m.

Week 6: Vs. Rogers City, Friday, Oct. 4, 7 p.m. (Homecoming)

Week 7: At Pellston, Saturday, Oct. 12, 1 p.m.

Week 8: Vs. Bellaire, Friday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m.

Week 9: Vs. Gaylord St. Mary, Friday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.

*HOME GAMES IN BOLD

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 are the most intriguing games during Inland Lakes football's 2024 season?