The last time Ishpeming defeated West Iron County on the football field was 1988. OK, they've only played twice since that time, but the Hematites travel to Iron River Saturday in a Division 7 District Final.
These two teams don't have many common opponents. Both lost to Iron Mountain and both defeated Calumet in the regular season.
Each has studied tape carefully. Ishpeming knows West Iron County pretty well, but there's a slight twist this season.
"They've always been a tough, hard nosed Wing-T team that likes to run the ball, control the line of scrimmage, similar to us," says Ishpeming Coach Jeff Olson. "This year they do the same stuff, but they're a big play offense. They have a couple really good receivers. They've been throwing it to those guys and letting them come down with it when they need to. And that loosens up the run game. So we have to control the big play."
"Ishpeming is a real good football team," according to West Iron County Coach Mike Berutti. "Their defense is extremely stingy. They're great tacklers when they get to the ball carrier. They like to run that smash mouth offense. So they're a good football team."
"Their defense looks really, good, powerful defense," says WIC Running Back and Defensive Back Devon Marcell. "Their linebackers come to the ball and they make plays. Their offense, I think if we play good defense, we can take care of their offense effectively."
Kickoff Saturday is set for 1 p.m. central (2 p.m. eastern time) in Iron River.
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