ISHPEMING, MI – While a lot of people outside of Michigan, or even the Upper Peninsula itself, may not know much about the UP, Division-7 MHSAA football teams certainly know about the Ishpeming Hematites by now. For the second consecutive season, and third time in four years, the Ishpeming Hematites will be spending their Thanksgiving Break at Ford Field. After dominating Harbor Beach 44-10 at the Superior Dome last Saturday, the Hematites will have a rematch from last year’s championship game on their hands, as they will face off against the Detroit-Loyola Bulldogs once again.
This wasn’t the first time that the Hematites knocked Harbor Beach out of the playoffs, back in 2010 they did the same thing in the same scenario. Coming into this game, there was talk (mostly on the Harbor Beach side) that the Pirates were the better team in 2010, and lost the game themselves, rather than to Ishpeming. It was also said that the same would be the case this year if the Pirates were to lose again. Well Ishpeming didn’t take to kindly to that concept as they came out ready to prove who was the better team. It was a close game going into the second quarter as Ishpeming only led 6-0 to start. That’s all Harbor Beach could really hang their hats on as the Hematites exploded in the second quarter, scoring 24 more unanswered points and went into halftime up 30-0. As per usual, the Hematites were led by their AP All-State quarterback Alex Briones, who rushed for 114-yards and three touchdowns. Bobby Zhulkie also contributed with two scores that propelled Ishpeming to yet another blowout victory.
The match-up with Detroit-Loyola figures to be an exciting one as both teams have been dominant all season long combining for a record of 26-0, both teams doing it in blowout fashion. The Bulldogs have outscored opponents 499-119 through their first 13 games of the season. The Hematites are even more dominant as they’ve outscored opponents 534-80, that includes SIX shutouts defensively. Both offenses will certainly have their work cut out for them as both teams have combined to allow just 199 points in 26 games thus far this season. It will certainly be a game worth paying attention to as the Bulldogs look to avenge their 20-14 defeat in last years Division-VII finals.
Be sure to tune into 98.3WRUP for all of your Ishpeming Hematite action this Saturday @ 10:00AM. As always, Mike Plourde & Bob Nadeau will have the call, this time from Ford Field! GO HEMATITES!!!
-Carl Leander Johnson