Marquette, MI – June 25th, 2016 – The best graduating senior football players from across the Upper Peninsula hit the field one more time today for the 2016 U.P. Football All-Star Game at the Superior Dome in Marquette. Great Lakes Radio was excited to broadcast the entire game to listeners across the U.P. on 103-FXD in Marquette & and on WRUP 92.7 in Escanaba, as well as a live stream here on wfxd.com!
Mike Plourde and Bob Nadeau took a break from their normal Ishpeming Hematite broadcasting duties to bring you all the action of the U.P. All-Star Football Game. The North received the ball to start the game, but the South put up some tough defense. Despite some great offense put up by the North, they were unable to score and gave possession of the ball over to the South. The first points of the game were put up by the South on a 15-yard run with just under 6:00 left in the first quarter, making it 7-0 after the successful extra point attempt. The North got on the scoreboard on a great pass to Dylan Tasson, and after a unsuccessful extra point, the North team trailed by a single point with a score of 7-6.
At the beginning of the second quarter, the South continued to lead with a score of 14-6, however, the North team was doing everything in their power to mount a comeback. Ozzy Corp, of the Ishpeming Hematites, led the offense on a long drive down the field early in the quarter. It was an intense game as the second quarter passed the halfway point, and the South was able to hold their lead by a single point after the North put 7 more points onto the scoreboard. Neither team was able to put up any points near the end of the first half, and the teams would remain separated by a single point going into halftime.
First Half Score:
North: 13
South: 14
After winning the opening coin toss, the South team received the ball to start the second half of play. It was an extremely close game for the majority of the first half, and the second started the very same way. After five minutes of play in the third, the score remained separated by a single point. A West Iron County player was able to make an incredible interception on a tipped pass, and that gave control over to the South midway through the third quarter. Thomas Finegan came up HUGE for the North team when he was able to intercept a pass from the South in his own end zone, resulting in a touch-back and change of possession.
At the start of the final quarter, the score remained 14-13 in favor of the South team, and the game would come down to the final quarter of play. The North did everything that they could to regain the lead, but the defense from the South seemed to be too tough. The first points of the second half were put up by the South team, and after another successful extra point kick, the score was 21-13. With just under three minutes remaining in the game, it appeared that the South had secured the win. Patric Bermiester caught a 51-yard pass with under two minutes left on a great toss from Ozzy Corp, and that gave some hope to the North players. Thanks to the excellent passing from the North, they were able to tie the score at 21-21 after a successful two-point conversion. An on-side kick was attempted on the kickoff, and with less than one minute in the game, the South had control of the ball. Jeffrey Mathews of the Negaunee Miners made another interception, turning control of the ball over to the North again. With just 6 seconds on the clock, a player from Baraga caught a touchdown pass, and that secured the win for the North team.
Final Game Score:
North: 28
South: 21
LISTEN – 2016 U.P. All-Star Football Game on 103-FXD and 92.7 WRPP, June 25th, 2016
