Schedule Breakdown: DeWitt Panthers

One of the marquee programs in the state and our most successful team near our Capital City, DeWitt, heads into 2022, coming off a heartbreaking State Championship loss, and they’ll be replacing key players. In addition, DeWitt’s 2022 schedule is quite challenging, facing six teams that made the postseason last year. This is an exciting team that we can always count on being well-coached, so now, let’s take a look at each game on their schedule. <strong>Week 1 vs. Haslett</strong> Kicking off the season, all eyes will be on Sophomore QB <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11683391">[player_tooltip player_id="247646" first="Aspen" last="Keyes"]</a>. Keyes and the Panthers will be up against an excellent team that very nearly advanced to the regional round of the playoffs. Haslett’s defense as a whole will be sporting some new players, with an especially significant loss of Keith Whitfield, the best DT I watched all of last season. So, I expect DeWitt to settle in and run the ball, leading them to a likely victory, but it won’t be easy. <strong>Week 2 vs. Portland</strong> Last season, Portland stunned DeWitt and proceeded to storm the field afterward. It was indeed that big of an upset. Does Portland have DeWitt figured out? Or did they catch DeWitt sleeping? My take on it is that Portland is just a great team that found a way to win, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they at the very least kept it close in their next contest. Portland will have a scary QB/RB duo, and I think this will be a time where the DeWitt front seven will shine. <strong>Week 3 vs. Detroit Catholic Central</strong> Oh boy, I’m excited for this one. Catholic Central is a great team playing in perhaps the toughest league in the state. They have excellent talent and are coached well, making this a tough match. [player_tooltip player_id="247646" first="Aspen" last="Keyes"] will have to be smart on offense, while the <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13141836">[player_tooltip player_id="241259" first="Bryce" last="Kurncz"]</a> led secondary will have to be skillful. If DeWitt can make it past week three without a loss, they’ll prove that they’re still a state championship contender. <strong>Week 4 vs. East Lansing</strong> This is an interesting East Lansing program that looks to lose some great RB and Secondary talent, but they also have great young talent to reload. All in all, East Lansing was great but a bit inconsistent last season, having narrowly lost to State Semifinalist Grand Blanc, but in the same season being blown out by DeWitt and South Lyon. DeWitt should still be favored in this one, but East Lansing is a great, balanced program that I expect to be a good playoff team in 2022. <strong>Week 5 vs. Holt</strong> Holt was a great team in 2021, having advanced to the postseason before being knocked out by Grand Blanc. They lose a lot of talent, particularly in their secondary, which DeWitt could take advantage of if their secondary does indeed take a dive. I expect the physicality of DeWitt to take over here, which means a big game from LB <a class="uni-link--implied" href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13313897">Landen Taber</a>, among others. <strong>Week 6 vs. Grand Ledge</strong> Marking the last of their brutal 6-game stretch is Grand Ledge. Now, on paper, Grand Ledge could be a terrifying team in 2022, with many significant pieces returning. The Comets seem to have great linemen and athletes, and I expect them to put up a fight. <strong>Week 7 vs. Okemos</strong> A team that has struggled to get anything done, Okemos needs to improve significantly throughout multiple years to compete with DeWitt. <strong>Week 8 vs. Lansing Everett</strong> Everett played poorly in 2021, and they’ll be looking to bounce back in a significant way. Many athletes will have to step up for them to have a chance, so I have DeWitt in this one. <strong>Week 9 vs. Lansing Waverly </strong> Waverly has a few athletes that I’ve been impressed with, and there is a chance Waverly could be fighting for a playoff spot here if they perform well during the season. DeWitt is an elite program that can and will find a way to win, especially heading into the playoffs themselves.