Opening slate sets tone for conference battle
Gaylord High School football kicks off the 2026 season with high expectations, carrying over the success of a 9-0 regular season in 2025. The Blue Devils will begin their campaign with an Aug. 27 road game against North Branch. In their previous meeting during the 2025 season, GHS claimed a 21-14 victory, which set the tone for the rest of North Branch's campaign. That loss contributed to a disappointing 2-7 record and sixth-place finish in the Blue Water Area Conference for the Eagles. This early matchup will test Gaylord's readiness and serve as a critical warm-up before conference play begins the following week.
Head coach Matt Silsbury is entering his second year at Gaylord, and this season brings a new-look team with several changes to the starting lineup. The North Branch game will be a good indicator of how the Blue Devils adapt to the transition. The following week, on Sept. 3, Gaylord will face Escanaba, the second-place finisher in the 2025 Big North Conference. The Eskymos will host Gaylord, setting up a rivalry known for close finishes and intense competition between the two programs.
Week 3 showdown against Cadillac serves as early test
On Sept. 11, Gaylord will face Cadillac in a key conference matchup. The Blue Devils dominated the teams' previous meeting in 2025, winning 37-9. Cadillac had a difficult season in 2025, with several close losses, but none were against Gaylord. This game could serve as a measuring stick for both teams, helping to determine how they stack up in the Big North standings as the season progresses.
The Blue Devils continue their early home games with a Sept. 18 matchup against Alpena. Gaylord has had a clear advantage in this series over the past four seasons, outscoring Alpena 117-6 in that stretch. The significance of this game is heightened by the fact that former Gaylord head coach DJ Szymoniak now leads the Alpena team. The rivalry adds another layer of intensity, and Gaylord's strong history in the matchup will be a key factor as they look to maintain their dominance.
October games carry potential for playoff seeding impact
Gaylord's schedule ramps up in October, with several high-stakes games that could influence their playoff seeding. On Sept. 25, the Blue Devils will host Sault Area, a team that has struggled in recent seasons, managing just one win in the past 18 games. Gaylord has a chance to establish dominance in this rivalry once again, following their 35-0 win over the Jaycees in 2025. This matchup could set the tone for Sault's season and help Gaylord build momentum heading into the second half of their schedule.
The Jaycees Trophy Game, which takes place on Oct. 2, will be played at Petoskey. History shows that the winner of this game has gone on to claim the Big North title and win a district championship in the past three seasons. This makes it a high-stakes matchup with long-term implications for both teams. Petoskey enters with more returning experience, but the outcome remains uncertain until the Blue Devils and Northmen take the field.
Week seven brings Gaylord to Marquette, a team that provided some of the most thrilling games of the 2025 season. The Blue Devils narrowly edged the Wildcats in both the regular season and the Division 3 district semifinals, winning by a combined five points across those two contests. Marquette's passing attack has proven to be a challenge for GHS's defense, and with a new secondary unit this season, Gaylord will need to be prepared for another tough matchup.
The regular season concludes with a home game against St. Johns on Oct. 16. In 2025, Gaylord made a dramatic comeback, overcoming a 21-point deficit to win 32-28 in a thrilling finish. This year's game could be equally high-stakes, with both teams vying to solidify their playoff positions and set the stage for success in the postseason.