Battle for the Diamond Jubilee Trophy
Week eight of the high school football season brings with it another exciting matchup on the gridiron, between two teams who both have deep playoff run aspirations.
The Diamond Jubilee Trophy will be on the line Friday night when Marquette travels to Negaunee to take on the Miners. The Redmen have dominated this rivalry game in recent years, winning the last three.
Both teams have already secured a playoff birth. Both the Miners and the Redmen each have a goal of racking up as many ‘playoff points’ as possible, and that comes with defeating quality teams. This game could determine the fate of both teams once the postseason rolls around.
“Every game that you play helps your seeding and where you’re going to play,” said Redmen head coach Dave L’Huillier. “I expect both teams to play very well tomorrow night and it should be a great game.”
“Our lineman have to stay low, we have to play good defense in the secondary, and we have to focus in on (Tyler) Lajoie,” said Redmen linebacker Larry Brunette. “If we get the (playoff) points tomorrow, we may be able to host a playoff game.”
“We know Marquette is a very good football team. They bring a lot to the table both offensively and defensively,” said Miners head coach Paul Jacobson. “They are very skilled in the backfield and at wide receiver. It’s going to be a challenge and it’ll be a great night of football.”
“It’s a big rivalry. They’re the big school down the hill,” said Miners defensive back Kevin O’Keefe. “We just have to show up and play like we always do. They’re a big, physical, well coached team. They do a lot of things well. We just have to execute with them.”
Kickoff between the Miners and Redmen is set for 7 p.m. on Friday at Negaunee.