The Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Cranes (2-0) will take on the Harper Woods Chandler Park Eagles (0-2) in a non-conference pairing for Week 3 of high school football action. This game comes at a crucial time for both programs.
The Eagles are a perennial state playoff powerhouse, having made the playoffs the last 7 years. They made the district finals in 2011, and also in 2014, by beating Cranbrook that year 50-8 in the first round.
“That was our first year making the playoffs, “said Cranes head coach Joe D’Angelo. “Our young team learned some valuable lessons that year.”
While Chandler Park has had a rough start to the beginning of this year, the Cranes do not take them lightly. The Eagles will enter their Charter League Conference schedule after the Cranbrook game. They have been forecasted to win this division by MLive Sports for 2016.
The Cranbrook game becomes a preparation for their Charter League play. They were the 2015 conference champions and seek to defend the title that they have held consecutively since 2012.
“Chandler Park is a physical and talented team. They have played two tough opponents and we have to respect their winning record over the years, “said D’Angelo. “They are a strong program; we must match their intensity.”
Cranbrook has won their first two games this season, beating Hamtramck (1-1) and Detroit University Prep (0-1). The Cranes are heading into their Catholic League schedule after this contest.
Finishing 9-2 last year placed the 2015 Cranes among the best football teams Cranbrook has ever fielded. But the 2016 Cranes have higher goals for this season, beginning with a potential conference championship.
The Cranes have been projected to win the CHSL Intersectional I division in the coaches preseason poll.
“While we had a good season last year, we have new goals for this year, “said D’Angelo. “We are focusing on each game as a step toward stronger team unity and cohesion. These are the things that will carry us during the tough schedule we have for 2016.”
The Cranes will have the opportunity to play in the Prep Bowl for the first time as a part of the Catholic League this year. The Prep Bowl is held at Ford Field and features the best teams in the Catholic League.
The game will be held Saturday September 10th, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at the Del Walden Field on the Cranbrook Campus. The field is located at 550 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304.