Traverse City Central Preps to Defend Big North Title

TRAVERSE CITY – The Traverse City Central football program opened its 2020 preseason camp and defense of the Big North Conference championship this week.

The Trojans won their first BNC title since 2016 last year and shut out rival Traverse City West for the first time in 25 meetings en route to an 8-2 season.

Defensively, the Trojans had their best showing last year since 2007, allowing an average of 14 points per contest while shutting out opponents twice and holding opponents to seven points or less in five games.

Central returns five to six starters on both sides of the ball on a team that is eager to take that next step as a program. The Trojans won their postseason championship since 1988 two years ago and now want to make a deep playoff run.

“Taking the next step as a program, where are we now? We have to continue to grow and get better,” Central coach Eric Schugars said. “The expectations we talked about, conference championships and going to the playoffs, now we have to win in the playoffs and get that deep playoff run. Just that gradual growth is what we want to see and that’s what taking the next step is going to be all about.”

“We have an amazing team this year,” added Central senior Tylor McCoon. “I think the best I’ve ever played with and hopefully we can make it that far.”

Central opens its season at 2019 Division 3 semifinalist DeWitt on Thursday, Aug. 27. DeWitt won last year’s meeting 31-26.

2020 Traverse City Central Schedule
Aug. 27 at DeWitt
Sept. 3 vs. OPEN
Sept. 11 at Gaylord*
Sept. 18 vs. Traverse City West*
Sept. 25 vs. Petoskey*
Oct. 2 at Cadillac*
Oct. 9 vs. Alpena*
Oct. 16 vs. Brother Rice
Oct. 23 at North Farmington
* Conference Game