Ishpeming celebrates state title win

After 14 grueling games spanned over the last four months, the Ishpeming football team was able to kick back, relax, and enjoy an evening not on the football field.

Fans wearing blue and white attire packed the Ishpeming high school gym Sunday night to help celebrate the accomplishments of the back-to-back state Division 7 state champions.

“Detroit Loyola got what they wished for,” said Ishpeming High School athletic director Terry Roberts about the Hematites second victory in as many years over the Bulldogs in the state championship game. “You know they said that they wanted to remember Ishpeming, but I’m thinking now they want to forget about us.”

Each player received a medal for winning the championship game. For the Ishpeming players and coaches, the best part about the evening was the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to their fans.

“It’s so great for the kids to have an event like this to see the support they have from the community,” said Hematites head football coach Jeff Olson. “It makes them appreciate winning it a little bit more.”

“We all get to get together at our high school, have a good time, and appreciate what we’ve done the past couple of years,” said Hematites quarterback Alex Briones. “This is great, the community is great, the fans are great, and its an overall great time.”

“It’s nice to see everyone out here that supports us,” said Hematites linebacker Bobby Zhulkie. “It’s a good feeling. They are at all of our games.”

It may take a few days for everything to sink in for the back to back state champions, but Sunday night will be a night that everyone will remember for quite some time to come.