ISHPEMING, MI – 10/28/2014 – There were a lot of questions coming into the 2014 season for the Ishpeming Hematites. Could they replace the senior class that had just graduated three months prior? Would they get the necessary players to step into roles they may have been unfamiliar with? Well those questions were answered all season long as the Hematites knocked every opponent they face back on their tookus. The defense hasn’t given up more than 20 points this year and the offense has scored 28 or more in seven of their eight wins. They’ve outscored their opponents by an average of over 32 points per game, and they’ve taken the gas off after halftime more often than not.
This team is a favorite to be back at Ford Field near the end of November for the third consecutive year. Whether they’ll bring home the hardware or not remains to be seen, but if you ask Coach Olson, he’ll tell you that you have to win the next game on the schedule before thinking championship. The next game up just so happens to be against a team that the Hematites have not only already played this year, but is also from the same city. The Westwood Patriots (6-3) are coming into Ishpeming’s house, looking to pull of the upset. The Hematites defeated the Patriots back on September 19th 38-14 at Westwood. In that contest the Patriots were able to hang with the Hematites through one quarter (14-8), but weren’t able to maintain and went into halftime down 30-8. Ishpeming was able to push their lead to 38-8 before the Patriots scored once more to give you your final score.
Be sure to tune in this Friday night as the Ishpeming Hematites begin their title defense once more. Pregame with Bob Nadeau & Mike Plourde will begin at 6:30 with a 7pm kickoff! Respect the Rock!
-Carl Leander Johnson