Ishpeming, MI – The cloudiness surrounding a possible undefeated season for the Ishpeming Hematites football team has dissipated to a minor wisp of fog, as the Hematites are a mere one win away from pulling it off. Dating back to last season, the Hematites have won a staggaring FIFTEEN consecutive contests, including a playoff run that resulted in a Division-7 State Championship. Should the Hematites pull off the undefeated season, which seems all to likely at this point, there is a good chance that they’d be able to host at least two, and possibly three, playoff games this post-season, should they keep it up. They are still ranked as the number one team in the AP polls of division 7, and, barring a HUGE upset, will maintain that spot until somebody knocks them out of the playoffs.
The game started off fast for the Hematites, who received the opening kickoff, scored, kicked off, recovered a fumble & ran it back for a touchdown. All this took place within the first four minutes of the game. The Indians refused to give up though, as they slowed the Ishpeming attack and managed to create some offense of their own in the second quarter, scoring a touchdown and getting within seven. This was only the fourth touchdown of the season allowed by the Hematite starting defense, three of which came against Negaunee last week. The game was close only for a short while, as the Hematites scored on the very next drive, then scored again on Newberry’s following possession via a blocked punt. Adam Prisk was a one-man wrecking crew during the contest as he scored in all three phases of the game. He had a 12-yard rushing touchdown on offense, a fumble return on defense, and the blocked-punt-touchdown on special teams. This comes as no surprise to this writer who watched as Prisk ran all over a formidable Negaunee defense the week before. Alex Briones, Tyrus Millimaki, and Bobby Zhulkie also got involved in the show too, as Briones ran one touchdown in and hooked up with Millimaki for a 30-yard touchdown reception. Zhulkie contributed by scoring on four two-point conversions and on a 12-yard touchdown scamper.
The Hematites will attempt to finish off their magical season this Thursday night at home as the play host to the Modeltowners of Gwinn. Gwinn (2-6) will have their hands full at The Playgrounds this Thursday if they want to pull off the upset. They’ll have to focus on controlling the line of scrimmage, and stopping Briones to even have a chance. As we saw against Negaunee, however, Ishpeming is capable of ticky-tacking their way down the field with four-yard gain after four-yard gain. So even if the Modeltowners can slow down the Hematite attack, they’ll then have to do it in a knock-down-drag-out contest that tends to favor Ishpeming.
Hematites play this THURSDAY night (October 24th) — Pre-game is at 6:30pm — Kickoff is at 7. Join Mike Plourde & Bob Nadeau for all of your Ishpeming Hematite football action on 98.3WRUP. GO HEMATITES!
-Carl L. Johnson