By Staff
I have the luxury to be able this week to take a look back and a look forward in my ramblings.
First, let's take a look back.
After an up and down season the Dowagiac varsity football team had its season come to an end with a 49-15 loss to Paw Paw in the opening round of the Division 4 playoffs.
After the first three games it looked like the Chieftains were headed toward a magical finish.
Then the middle of the season came and the toughest part of the Chieftains' schedule.
Games with Marshall, Lakeshore and Sturgis all went the way of the opponents which left Chieftain fans wondering if the team would even qualify for the post season.
Marshall and Lakeshore, both of which shut out the Chieftains, were better football teams.
Dowagiac probably should have beaten Sturgis.
The Chieftains could have folded at that point, but the players and coaches continued to work hard and the team remained focused.
A win at Benton Harbor set the stage for a run at qualifying.
A big 42-27 win over Niles in the final meeting between the long-time rivals left the Chieftains just one game away from the post season.
Dowagiac did not play well in its regular season finale against winless St. Joseph.
The Chieftains looked nervous and played like they were, turning the ball over five times.
But in the end they got the job done and made it into the playoffs for the first time since 2000.
Dowagiac again faced an opponent that was quite frankly better than it was in Paw Paw.
The Redskins scored a lopsided victory over the Chieftains in a game that should have been much closer.
But regardless of the outcome, this season was a good first step in returning Dowagiac to its winning ways.
The players and coaches should get a pat on the back for all of the hard work they put into the program over the winter, spring and summer months.
Dowagiac is headed in the right direction with its program.
With 18 under classmen (17 juniors, 1 sophomore) on the field as starters this season, the 2006 campaign could be something special.
Dowagiac will open the 2006 season on the road against South Haven next August.
The Chieftains will have four home games as a member of the Wolverine Conference.
I know the coaches and players have a lot of work to do before the season opener, but I cannot wait to get the season started.