Hematites, Miners set to renew rivalry
Ishpeming and Negaunee are both set to square off on the football field Friday evening. Both teams are 6-0, just like they were at this point of the season last year.
In their meeting at Negaunee in 2012, the Miners pulled away late to defeat the Hematites, 20-8. This time around, the game will be at Ishpeming.
The Hematites starting defense has allowed a grand total of zero points this season. On the flip side, Negaunee has had no problem moving the ball up and down the field.
Miners running back Tyler LaJoie leads the Mid Peninsula Conference in rushing yards. LaJoie averages 12.9 yards a carry.
The winner of this game will likely clinch the MPC Conference Championship.
“We’re happy that we have the opportunity to be in the situation where were at,” said Miners head coach Paul Jacobson. “It’s going to be a great night of high school football. They (Ishpeming) have a very good football team. They have good skill positions and they have an excellent line in front of them. We will have to make the most of our opportunities and keep our mistakes down to a minimum.”
“Our (offensive and defensive) lines have to fire out, stay low, over power them, and we just have to run our plays like we usually do,” said Miners wide receiver Zane Radloff. “I think our running game is better than theirs. Overall it should be a pretty even match.”
“Negaunee is a great football team,” said Hematites head coach Jeff Olson. “They look like a college team. They have great athletes, a lot of threats that we have to stop. We’re playing pretty good football, so I think it’s going to be a great game for all the fans in Marquette County.”
“Just the rivalry between Ishpeming and Negaunee always makes the game intense. We have to come ready to play,” said Hematites running back Derek DeCaire. “They (Negaunee) pretty much do everything well, so we have to be on our toes and be prepared to stop anything.”
Kickoff between the Hematites and the Miners is set for 7 p.m.