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ISHPEMING -- One of the shortest drives in the first round of the state high school football playoffs takes place in Ishpeming.

The Westwood Patriots will make the three mile trip to the Ishpeming Playgrounds for a Division Seven match-up with the Hematites.

It's been three weeks since Ishpeming has taken flight in an actual game.  The Hematites last game was Friday, October seventh against Negaunee.

Since then the Hematites have been idle and received a forfeit victory.

"This is uncharted territory, and we've been trying to, number one, we haven't been practicing as long," says Ishpeming Coach Jeff Olson. "The motivational level has to be kept up.   We did have a little mild scrimmage against Iron Mountain the first week so we were able to prepare for that.  We thought there was a good chance we would be playing Westwood so we concentrated on them a little bit.  And obviously they were motivated for that.  I think they're ready."

"The Ishpeming program has just been built by Coach Olson," says Ishpeming offensive lineman Brad Wootke. "He's figured out what we have to do to win, and we're doing a great job of executing his game plan."

The Patriots played well on September 16th, but could not score in an 18-0 loss to the Hematites.

Ishpeming has won the last 14 games in this series including one playoff game.

Westwood won 9-6 back in 1998.  The Patriots know what they need to do in order to pull off the upset against the defending Division Seven runner-up.

"Well first time there was a couple unlucky bounces of the ball," according to Westwood lineman Lucas Yeager. "They had a couple big plays, passes down deep in the red zone.  We need to keep away from these.  Other than that it should be a pretty good game, hard fought battle."

"I think they're ready for this match-up," says Westwood coach Jon Beckman. "I think it's a fantastic match-up.  I know Ishpeming is a well coached, well disciplined football team so we certainly have our work cut out for us.  But that doesn't mean our kids don't believe that we can go in there and do what we need to do to win a football game."

Kickoff Friday from the Ishpeming Playgrounds is seven o'clock.