Fenton on wrong side of trend against rival Riverside-Brookfield
The trend certainly doesn't favor Fenton's football team.
In 2006, the debut season of the four-team Metro Suburban Conference, the Bison swept rival Riverside-Brookfield in two games to claim the title. The teams split their two meetings in 2007, with Fenton handing the Bulldogs their lone league loss.
Last year R-B swept Fenton while rolling through the MSC with a 6-0 record. Fenton's 11-point loss in the first game was the closest any conference team came to the Bulldogs.
Even though Fenton finds itself on a losing slide against R-B, the Bison aim to reclaim their spot atop the MSC standings this year.
"They've always presented a challenge to us, but I think we have the talent to beat them," said Fenton coach Mark Farrell.
What awaits the MSC rivals this season? It won't be R-B's high-flying A-11 offense, which is no longer allowed after it was declared illegal at the national level.
Still, expect similar pass-happy schemes from Bulldogs coach Otto Zeman and senior quarterback Billy VandeMerkt, who threw for 8 touchdowns and more than 400 yards in a 63-19 win over Fenton last year.
The conference title likely will boil down to the Sept. 18 and Oct. 9 showdowns between the rivals. And, as always, winning or losing will boil down to Fenton's ability to control the ball and defend the Bulldogs' vaunted passing attack.
"We've had some success against them by controlling the ball on the ground and keeping their offense off the field," Farrell said. "That'll be our goal again."
Fenton running back Tyrell McGee is back after rushing for 500 yards in limited action during an injury-plagued 2008. Three returning linemen, led by 6-foot-5, 275-pound tackle Richie Rebmann, will help keep the ground game churning.
Although Ridgewood and Elmwood Park showed flashes of upset potential in the past few years, only R-B and Fenton have claimed MSC titles.
This year should be no different.
"You always have to worry about Ridgewood and Elmwood Park," Farrell said. "But I expect it to come down to us and R-B."