U.P. Power is Strong Heading into Semi-finals

By Luke Ghiardi
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Updated: November 17, 2014

MARQUETTE, MI – 11/17/2014 – Four teams. That’s all that remain in each division of the MHSAA Playoffs. With over 1500 participating schools in Michigan, there are now just 32 teams left with a chance to raise that trophy. 32 senior classes with a chance to win their last meaningful game of football. 32 teams who have put in the work, and yielded the results they have wanted… so far. To become one of the 16 teams left after this upcoming weekend, they’ll all need to play their best game to date. Here’s what’s on the slate for this week’s set of games.

http://up-football.com/images/helmets/menominee.jpg

Menominee is becoming synonymous with division-5 football success

DIVISION-5

Menominee Maroons vs. West Catholic High School Falcons (Grand Rapids) @ 11am on 11/22
- The #1 overall seed in Division-5 used a quick start to eliminate the Freeland Falcons last weekend 43-35. They’ll now face another Falcon team, this time from the Grand Rapids area in the 12-0 West Catholic High School Falcons. This one should be another fantastic match-up of great offenses as the Falcons come in averaging 42.5 points per game, and the Maroons continue their dominance by averaging 49. The Maroons will be part of a great weekend of football at the Superior Dome in Marquette this Saturday @ 11am.

Tune in this Fridayand Support the Hematites

This game will be available on WRUP.com and on 98.3WRUP with Mike Plourde & Bob Nadeau broadcasting from the Superior Dome!

DIVISION-7

Ishpeming Hematites vs. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary Cardinals @ 2pm on 11/22
- This game will directly follow the Division-5 game at the Superior Dome in Marquette. The 11-0 Hematites are putting their 30-game win streak on the line against the Cardinals of SMLS (11-1). Playing a full schedule and having 75 playoff points, the Cardinals are on a pretty good run, where the Hematites have 80, but missed a game due to scheduling problems, so this should be a very competitive game. This is a battle of two very complete teams. Both teams average 30+ points per game, and allow under 10 ppg defensively. If you want to catch this game it’ll be this Saturday at 2pm at the Dome. If you can’t make it, be sure to tune in to 98.3 WRUP and catch all of the action with Mike Plourde & Bob Nadeau.

Support the Munising Mustangs this Saturday

You can catch this one on AM1400 WQXO with Charlie Nebel!

DIVISION-8

Munising Mustangs vs. Beal City HS Aggies @ 7pm on 11/21
- The 11-1 Mustangs are riding an 11 game win streak and are putting it on the line against the 10-2 Aggies of Beal City (Mount Pleasant). The Mustangs defense has been ridiculous this season. They’ve only allowed two teams to break double digits since their week one loss at West Iron County. With nine games allowing six points or less, they may be the most defensively imposing team left in Division-8. The Aggies do their damage on the offensive side of the ball, putting up 40ppg. This one will be the first of three games at the Superior Dome this weekend, and it’ll be on Friday at 7pm. If you can’t make your way down to the Dome, be sure to tune in to AM1400 WQXO with Charlie Nebel.

8-MAN FOOTBALL

Cedarville Trojans vs. Lawrence Tigers @ 7pm on 11/21
- I haven’t given the credit deserved to Cedarville, but they’re one win away from lifting a State Championship trophy in the 8-player division. Cedarville comes in with an 11-1 record and are traveling to Greenville, MI to take on the 12-0 Lawrence Tigers. This game should be a shootout. The Tigers have scored less than fifty points just once in 2014. Meanwhile, the Trojans have put up points themselves, while holding teams down pretty well defensively. This game should be good, so be sure to follow up here with us if you’re unable to make it, but try to head to Greenville to support your fellow Yoopers in the State Title game this Friday @ 7.

One out of every eight teams left is a U.P. team. We all have a bit of an inferiority complex when it comes to sports in the Yoop, and watching a U.P. team beat a team from Detroit, Saginaw, or Grand Rapids gives us all a sense of pride. So even if you’re a Negaunee fan, you have to root for these guys. It shows that you can play with anybody as well. It shows the MPC and the entire U.P. is full of talent that needs to be recognized. It reminds those “trolls” that we’re a force to be reckoned with. So join us here at Fox Sports Marquette as we shout out: “U.P. Power” this weekend at the Superior Dome!

-Carl Leander Johnson