Previewing Saline Hornet’s 2022 Toughest Games

The Saline Hornets finished last season 9-1 with the only loss coming to Canton in the playoffs. This year Saline’s coach Joe Palka will have several key players back and motivated to make a state title run. The schedule will be a tough one for the Hornets in 2022 as their conference, The SEC Red continues to be one of the toughest in the state of Michigan. I can’t wait for these matchups next year as they have the makings to be instant classics. <strong>Week 1: 8/25 Home vs Hudsonville</strong> Last year Saline’s quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="77217" first="CJ" last="Carr"] </strong>had a terrific game passing the football and it helped lead to a 34-30 win for the Hornets. <strong>Trey Carr</strong> the quarterback for Hudsonville , had a big game. <strong>Trey Carr </strong>had a massive touchdown pass late in the game to put them up 30-20 before Saline made a late comeback to win the game. This year I believe Hudsonville will be another tough matchup for Saline. Not only do they return <strong>Trey Carr </strong>their quarterback but they also return one of their top wide receivers <strong>Eli Vanderveen (<a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/13432093/61e7616e5b3e121498f8580c">Hudl</a>). </strong>I had watched Vanderveen in the summer 7 on 7’s prior to the start of the 2021 season. He has great size for a receiver at 6-4. He also shows the long speed to create long touchdown runs. Saline will need to try to limit Hudsonville’s big plays if they want to come out victorious week 1 against Hudsonville. <strong>Week 2: 9/1 @Ann Arbor Huron</strong> Last year Huron played Saline very tough, with a final of score of 35-21 in the Hornets favor. This year Saline will travel to Huron to face a team that returns many key players from last year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30353" first="Torrence" last="Greene"] </strong>returns at the safety position. Greene is one of the top defensive backs in the state of Michigan. He has speed, range in coverage, and tremendous tackling technique. Saline’s coaching staff will. need be aware of Greene at all times to prevent him from creating turnovers. The other guy that Saline must keep an eye on is linebacker &amp; running back <strong>De’Veion Mclilley</strong>. Mclilley is an outstanding linebacker who has tremendous ability to rush the quarterback. He is a physical running back who easily run through tacklers. A big game from Mclilley could be key for Huron coming out with a victory. <strong>Week 8: 10/14 @Dexter</strong> Saline edged out Dexter 42-40 in an offensive shoutout in 2021. Dexter’s running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="162655" first="Cole" last="Cabana"] </strong>had a huge game, rushing for 165 yards &amp; 3 touchdowns. Saline will need to try to keep Cabana contained. Saline will return safety<strong> Garrett Baldwin</strong><strong> </strong>who has great coverage &amp; tackling ability. Baldwin's play will be vital to slowing down Dexter’s passing game who returns star tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30328" first="Brennan" last="Parachek"]. </strong>Last season Parachek did not play against Saline. You know he will be hungry to avenge last seasons loss to the Hornets. Saline has another terrific safety in <strong>Evan Gerlinger. </strong>He has shown the ability to force fumbles and create takeaways for Saline. In a close game, a big time takeaway from Gerlinger would be huge. Gerlinger also shows that he is fearless when it comes to flying up and making tackles.