Merrill principal Christian Wiley says his school is ready to take on new challenges with 8-man football this year.

“Since we are moving to eight-man football this year, it is tough to tell how strong our schedule is overall,” he said. “Many of our opponents are schools we have never played before. Right now I would guess that Gobles and Portland St. Patrick would be our two toughest opponents. 

“They have been traditionally strong programs that have had a lot of success over the years.”

Merrill will also play Onekama, Vestaburg, Atlanta, Baldwin, Detroit Collegiate, Vermontville Maple Valley and Indian River.