Negaunee-Ishpeming game could decide Mid-Peninsula Conference Crown
By Mike Bedard
Thursday, October 08, 2009 at 3:21 p.m.
It's rivalry week in the Upper Peninsula high school football community this weekend. Tons of great games from Esky-Gladstone Friday Night to Iron Mountain-Kingsford Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately I don't get to go shoot any of them. My task this Friday night to to cover another rivalry game, only it's on the frozen pond, NMU vs. Michigan Tech in Houghton. The big football game back here in Marquette County is Negaunee "travelling" to Ishpeming. The Hematite's are a game behind the Miner's in the Mid-Peninsula standings. Both teams beat Iron Mountain at home in close games. Ishpeming lost to Norway on the road and Negaunee beat the Knights in a close game in Irontown last week. Weather looks to be a factor again this weekend with rain and snow in the forecast. Ishpeming has played extremely well at home this year, running the ball effectively behind a pair of Nault's, Brad and Brett. QB Daniel Olson can also pull it down and run the length of the field if given the opportunity and happens to lead the conference in rushing. Negaunee counters with a pair of threats. RB Cody Dagenais and QB Tyler Nault have combined for 14 touchdowns this year and a bunch of yards in between. When they go to the air, look out for WR Nate Alexander who can grab a jump ball on offense and defense. Negaunee has the bigger line and is a bit deeper, but Ishpeming plays extremely hard at home. This should be another classic, but I see the Miner's get one game away from a conference title with a 20-14 win at the playgrounds.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND: (Last Week: 3-2. Season to Date: 26-4)
Gladstone at Escanaba: Esky must be cranky after blowing a big lead in Menominee last week. Eskymos 31-21
Menominee at Marquette: Maroons big 49-0.
Westwood at Norway: Knights stay in the Mid-Pen race with a 23-10 win.
Iron Mountain at Kingsford: Flivvers win this border war, 38-31.
Don't forget to watch for highlights from these games on Friday Night Fever. If you miss any of the action on TV, check out the highlights on demand on the Friday Night Fever page, right here on our website.
