CHEBOYGAN — We’re still several days away from the opening night of football season in the Cheboygan area.
But what better way to get things rolling than talking about schedules for area teams, starting with Cheboygan.
After earning four victories in coach Bill Nesbitt’s first season, the Chiefs went 3-6 last fall. In the third year of the Nesbitt era, they’ll be aiming for a strong campaign, but it won’t be easy.
Let’s break down Cheboygan’s 2026 schedule:
At Sault Ste. Marie (Friday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m.)
Previous meeting: Cheboygan 19, Sault Ste. Marie 7 (Aug. 29, 2025)
Thoughts: The Chiefs will be looking to knock off the Blue Devils for a third consecutive fall. In 2025, Cheboygan’s defense paved the way to an impressive home victory.
The season opener doesn’t tell the story of a whole season, but in Cheboygan’s case, a winning start would be ideal. However, the Blue Devils will surely be improved after going 0-9 last fall.
Vs. Kalkaska (Friday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m.)
Previous meeting: Cheboygan 21, Kalkaska 17 (Friday, Sept. 20, 2024)
Thoughts: Cheboygan’s Northern Shores Conference opener will also be its first home game of the campaign, but they’ll face an up-and-coming Blazers team that went 5-4 a year ago.
If Cheboygan wants to get its league season off to a bright start, a win over the Blazers is a must.
At Boyne City (Friday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m.)
Previous Meeting: Boyne City 30, Cheboygan 14 (Friday, Sept. 12, 2025)
Thoughts: It’s another difficult early-season conference game for the Chiefs, who face off with a Boyne City program that’s beaten them in five consecutive meetings.
The Chiefs will have a shot to end that skid against the Ramblers, who went 6-4 and reached the postseason last fall.
Vs. Elk Rapids (Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m.)
Previous Meeting: Cheboygan 13, Elk Rapids 12 (Friday, Sept. 19, 2025)
Thoughts: The last two matchups between these two have been down-to-the-wire thrillers, with the Chiefs winning both, including a wild comeback in Cheboygan in 2024.
With both squads in the NSC, this feels like it’ll be another great battle against the Elks, who went 4-5 last season.
Vs. Charlevoix (Friday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m.)
Previous Meeting: Charlevoix 19, Cheboygan 6 (Friday, Sept. 5, 2025)
Thoughts: This was a strange one last year as the Chiefs controlled much of the first half against the Rayders in Charlevoix. However, Charlevoix’s offense rallied with an impressive second-half performance.
The Chiefs will now get a shot at revenge in their fourth NSC clash of the campaign, and one that will be played at Western Avenue Field. Charlevoix went 8-2 and made the playoffs last year.
At Kingsley (Friday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m.)
Previous Meeting: Kingsley 57, Cheboygan 22 (Friday, Oct. 10, 2025)
Thoughts: This will likely be the toughest game of the regular season for the Chiefs, who have lost six straight to the Stags, who have been downright dominant in each of those matchups.
The high-powered Stags were 11-3 and made a thrilling run to the MHSAA Division 5 state title game before losing to powerhouse Jackson Lumen Christi last November.
At Redford Union (Saturday, Oct. 10, 2 p.m.)
Previous Meeting: None
Thoughts: One of the more unique matchups on the 2026 slate, the Chiefs travel to the Detroit area to clash with the Panthers, who finished 7-3 and made the playoffs in 2025.
After a difficult conference stretch, Cheboygan will be aiming for success in its only Saturday game of the campaign.
Vs. Grayling (Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m.)
Previous Meeting: Cheboygan 41, Grayling 27 (Friday, Oct. 3)
Thoughts: The first of two home games to wrap up the regular season, the Chiefs have won two straight against the Vikings, including an impressive offensive display on the road in 2025.
With a win, Cheboygan would finish off its conference slate in style against the Vikings, who were 3-6 last fall.
Vs. New Lothrop (Friday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m.)
Previous Meeting: New Lothrop 21, Cheboygan 16 (Friday, Oct. 24, 2025)
Thoughts: This was the one game that got away last year for the Chiefs, who had multiple chances to take down a New Lothrop team that made the playoffs.
Now, Cheboygan gets a shot at payback against a Hornets team that went 7-4 in 2025.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan Chiefs football team eyes redemption in 2026 schedule
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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By Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune | USA TODAY Network
