Ishpeming and Westwood to face off in District Final
By Meagan Quigley
Friday, November 06, 2009 at 3:52 p.m.
Read more: Local, Sports, Ishpeming High School, Westwood High School, Football, District Championship, Playoff Game, Hematites, Patriots
ISHPEMING -- It's been an exciting season for both the Ishpeming Hematites and the Westwood Patriots. And now the excitement level has been cranked up for tonight's playoff game when the cross town rivals face off.
For Westwood, this isn't just any football game...this year's playoffs will go down in the school record books.
"Well we're just very excited to be here. We won our first playoff game in school history last week against West Iron County and we're really excited to be a part of this, and the fact that it comes down to Westwood High School and Ishpeming for the district championship is just great for the whole area," explained Westwood High School principal David Boase.
To celebrate, the band's drum corps took a special march around the building and the school was decorated. Players and cheerleaders couldn't wait to get their classmates fired up.
"It feels pretty good. We're really excited about it. You always get excited to play your arch rival team, and that's what we got a chance to do tonight and if we beat them, we'll be the first team in awhile to beat them, so that'll be pretty awesome," stated Westwood football player Aaron Skrenes.
"We want to get fans really excited for it, because usually we're not that school spirited, but lately we've all been really pumped," explained Westwood cheerleader Symantha Misale.
Just down the road at Ishpeming High School, the halls were decorated, but otherwise it was a quiet day.
"Not too much, again, because we've been here a number of times. I know our coach really believes in trying to keep the routine as normal as possible and making sure that the players peak at six o'clock at night rather than two o'clock in the afternoon at a pep assembly," described Ishpeming High School principal Brian Sarvello.
But that doesn't mean the students aren't excited.
"I think this is the most spirited game so far. Usually when we play Negaunee or Westwood, it's always exciting." said Ishpeming High School senior Brittany Zhulkie.
The game will begin tonight at 7 p.m. at the Ishpeming High School football field.
