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Charlevoix, St. Francis Set to Clash in D7 District Final

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CHARLEVOIX – The Charlevoix football program looks to make history Friday as it welcomes in Traverse City St. Francis in a Division 7 district final.

After going 1-8 two years ago, the Rayders rebounded last fall for a 7-4 campaign, capped off by winning the program’s first playoff game.

Charlevoix followed up that 2019 season with an undefeated 2020 regular season and its first league title since 2000.

Now the Rayders are on the cusp of winning their first district championship.

“Last year we started rebuilding and we came in this year and kept building,” Charlevoix freshman Richie Cunningham said. “We lost a couple good seniors, but we gained a couple really good kids and continued to develop and really brought it on this year.”

St. Francis has dominated this series between old Lake Michigan Conference foes, holding a 22-4-1 record since 1950.

After dropping two of its first three games, St. Francis (6-2) rebounded to win its final three regular season games including a 21-20 affair against Jackson Lumen Christi to enter the playoffs.


Last Five Meetings in St. Francis-Charlevoix Series
2013 – St. Francis 49, Charlevoix 7
2012 – St. Francis 26, Charlevoix 7
2011 – St. Francis 19, Charlevoix 0
2010 – St. Francis 42, Charlevoix 8
2009 – St. Francis 64, Charlevoix 0


Like the Rayders, the Gladiators have made quick work of their first two playoff opponents, recording wins over L’Anse (65-7) and Harbor Springs (35-8).

A win Friday would give St. Francis its seventh straight district championship.

“We’re feeling good,” St. Francis senior Aidan Schmuckal said. “We’ve been steadily increasing over the last couple weeks and we’re looking forward to winning a trophy this week.”

The winner of Friday’s contest will face either Evart (6-2) or Oscoda (8-0) in a regional final next week.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday.

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