The Dowagiac varsity football team has a lot of work to do before Friday night.

The Chieftains (0-1) are coming off a 28-13 loss to Plainwell, its second straight loss to the Trojans.

Veteran Dowagiac coach Mike Stanger said his team gave up too many big plays on defense.

“I thought for the most part we defened them ok,” he said. “We need to get off the field on third down. Three times on third and long, Plainwell converted for first downs or touchdowns.

“On offense, we did not sustain a run game. I thought we threw the ball pretty well. We thought our special teams played good.”

The Chieftains will host Wolverine Conference newcomer Sturgis at 7 p.m. Friday night at Chris Taylor-Alumni Field.

While the Trojans are new to the conference, they are not strangers to the Chieftains as both are former members of the SMAC.

The last time Dowagiac and Sturgis played was in 2005. The Trojans scored a 27-21 win over the Chieftains.

Dowagiac is 1-2 against Sturgis since 1950.

“With the use of Hudl, we have traded our scrimmage and week one game films,” Stanger said. “I feel we have a pretty good grip on what they are doing. Now they have showed a few different types of offense. They showed wishbone mainly in their scrimmage. In their week one game they were and “I” and spread offense. Defensively they were “4-4.”

Stanger said his team will focus on both sides of the football this week during practice.

He also pointed out that despite the loss, his team can still accomplish everything it set out to do this season.

“We lost to a pretty good team Thursday,” he said. “We did not play our best. We have to learn from it and get better. Friday is the home opener and Senior Night. We can still maintain all of our goals for this season.”

Dowagiac managed just 49 yards on the ground against Plainwell, which rushed for 184 yards.

Bryce Dodd was 13-of-21 for 162 yards.

The Trojans threw just six passes, completing five of them for 180 yards and three touchdowns.

Sturgis (0-1) opened its season with a 14-7 loss to visiting Berrien Springs.

The Trojan’s lone touchdown came on a 1-yard pass from Tristen Stewart to Jack Scheske.

Stanger and his coaching staff want to send their seniors out on a positive note.

“It is important to be at home,” he said. “We only have four home games this year. Friday is Senior Night, which is special for those guys. We talked about creating a good memory for their Senior Night.”

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