Sanilac County News

Popular Categories

Brown City-Peck rivalry returning this fall



Peck’s Caleb Lentner finds running room during a game last fall. He will be returning to lead the Pirates this fall, as they open the season against Brown City. Photos by Mike Gallagher

Peck’s Caleb Lentner finds running room during a game last fall. He will be returning to lead the Pirates this fall, as they open the season against Brown City. Photos by Mike Gallagher

BROWN CITY — The 8-Player football era at Brown City will kick off this fall with a return of a longstanding Sanilac County rivalry that was put on pause a decade ago.

After making the move to 8-Player football this past spring, the Green Devils have been in the process of putting together their schedule for their inaugural season.

With state powers such as Martin, Britton-Deerfield, Suttons Bay and Mesick already on the schedule, Brown City now has an opening week opponent – Peck.

“For many reasons, I think it is a great way to start the 8-Player era of Brown City football and our 2022 season,” said Green Devils head coach Aren Cooper. “Without Marlette or Sandusky on our schedule, Peck is an outstanding way to reignite a local rivalry and provide that same experience for all athletes, fans and both communities. Peck has successfully made the transition before and has been extremely helpful as we’ve navigated the waters ourselves. Also, our schedule has quite the mileage attached, so we are appreciative of Peck’s willingness to offer us a home game to start the season.”

Kyle Affer, who will be a senior this upcoming fall, is shown here during Brown City’s season opener last fall, against Burton Bendle.

Kyle Affer, who will be a senior this upcoming fall, is shown here during Brown City’s season opener last fall, against Burton Bendle.

The two schools last played a football game against each other in 2011, as the Pirates made the move to 8-Player for the 2012 season.

From 1952 to 2011, however, the two teams played 35 times.

From 1963 to 1976, 1981 to 1989 and 2003 to 2011, it was the season opener for both teams, and only three of their matchups were not season openers.

“I like the local football rivalries and how important they are to the schools and communities,” Cooper said. “While the near future may be a little foggy regarding 8 and 11-Player teams in the Thumb area, I’m grateful we were able to restore this old rivalry and anticipate it will stick around for a while.”

Since 1952, Brown City holds a 24-11 record against the Pirates, but in the final six 11-Player matchups between the two, the record was 3-3.

As far as Sanilac County matchups go, only Marlette and Sandusky (71), Peck and Carsonville-Port Sanilac (67) and Cros-Lex and Sandusky (45) have played each other more times since 1950.

Since making the move to 8-Player, Peck has been one of the most consistent teams in the state, going to the state playoffs nine times in 10 seasons, winning a title in 2013, and making a semifinals appearance in 2014.

“As with any game, we will use it to measure where we currently stand,” Cooper said. “Peck has been successful at this level and will be prepared, well-coached and ready. It will provide a challenge for us, and I’m already excited to see how our team handles it.”

The game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., August 25th, at Brown City.