DETROIT---"Remember Ishpeming".
Thats what was posted inside the Detroit Loyola football team's locker room ever since the Bulldogs lost to Ishpeming in the 2012 state championship game.
Most football observers considered that to be a major upset, as Loyola was the top-ranked team in the state.
So when the two teams went undefeated throughout the 2013 season, it was likely that they would meet again in Ford Field. And this time, Loyola was an even bigger favorite, even though Ishpeming was ranked #1 and Loyola was ranked #2.
Loyola had dominated so many quality opponents that they surely would get revenge on the Yoopers. Right? Wrong! The Hematites did it again on Saturday, winning 22-12.
"Some big plays went our way," Ishpemng Coach Jeff Olson said. "We're a smashmouth running team, and they made it extremely difficult for us. It was hard to run. But things were going good for us throwing the ball and finding people open. It was a struggle. It was a heavyweight struggle for both of us."
"This was built up by you, by us, by everybody, especially after last year," Loyola Coach John Callahan said. "When you turn the ball over on the opening kickoff and put them into scoring position, and they capatalize on it and it's 8-0 before you know it...I mean, that makes it hard to climb out of it (hole). It just wasn't there."
CLICK HERE to watch a replay of the game via MHSAA.tv.
CLICK HERE to watch the post-game press conference via MHSAA.tv.
The Hematites scored twice in the first half on touchdown passes from All-State quarterback Alex Briones. The first was 17 yards to Marcus Antilla (after Loyola fumbled the opening kickoff), and the second was a two-yard pass to Mitch Laurin.
In the third quarter, Briones scored on a two-yard run, and then he threw a two-point pass to Antilla. Shockingly, little Ishpeming was ahead 22-0 over a Loyola team that was much larger, and had outscored its playoff opponents by a combined 205-14.
Loyola did score two touchdowns on passes from quarterback Garrett Schaller to receiver Keith Graves. But it was too little, too late.
"It was the same story. From what a lot of people said, we were still the underdog , and rightfully so,” Olson said. “That's a good team, big and strong. I think it really came down to we made plays.”
"We knew they were going to be in the finals,” Briones said. “Right when they were doing Selection Sunday, we saw Loyola on the other side of the bracket and we kept them in the back of our heads. We knew we were probably going to meet up with them. But we had to take care of our business first. And, we came out on top!”
CLICK HERE to see all of the game's statistics.
There will be a welcome home party for the Hematities at 6:00 Sunday night at the Ishpeming High School Gym. Everyone is welcome to celebrate with the team.
Thats what was posted inside the Detroit Loyola football team's locker room ever since the Bulldogs lost to Ishpeming in the 2012 state championship game.
Most football observers considered that to be a major upset, as Loyola was the top-ranked team in the state.
So when the two teams went undefeated throughout the 2013 season, it was likely that they would meet again in Ford Field. And this time, Loyola was an even bigger favorite, even though Ishpeming was ranked #1 and Loyola was ranked #2.
Loyola had dominated so many quality opponents that they surely would get revenge on the Yoopers. Right? Wrong! The Hematites did it again on Saturday, winning 22-12.
"Some big plays went our way," Ishpemng Coach Jeff Olson said. "We're a smashmouth running team, and they made it extremely difficult for us. It was hard to run. But things were going good for us throwing the ball and finding people open. It was a struggle. It was a heavyweight struggle for both of us."
"This was built up by you, by us, by everybody, especially after last year," Loyola Coach John Callahan said. "When you turn the ball over on the opening kickoff and put them into scoring position, and they capatalize on it and it's 8-0 before you know it...I mean, that makes it hard to climb out of it (hole). It just wasn't there."
CLICK HERE to watch a replay of the game via MHSAA.tv.
CLICK HERE to watch the post-game press conference via MHSAA.tv.
The Hematites scored twice in the first half on touchdown passes from All-State quarterback Alex Briones. The first was 17 yards to Marcus Antilla (after Loyola fumbled the opening kickoff), and the second was a two-yard pass to Mitch Laurin.
In the third quarter, Briones scored on a two-yard run, and then he threw a two-point pass to Antilla. Shockingly, little Ishpeming was ahead 22-0 over a Loyola team that was much larger, and had outscored its playoff opponents by a combined 205-14.
Loyola did score two touchdowns on passes from quarterback Garrett Schaller to receiver Keith Graves. But it was too little, too late.
"It was the same story. From what a lot of people said, we were still the underdog , and rightfully so,” Olson said. “That's a good team, big and strong. I think it really came down to we made plays.”
"We knew they were going to be in the finals,” Briones said. “Right when they were doing Selection Sunday, we saw Loyola on the other side of the bracket and we kept them in the back of our heads. We knew we were probably going to meet up with them. But we had to take care of our business first. And, we came out on top!”
CLICK HERE to see all of the game's statistics.
There will be a welcome home party for the Hematities at 6:00 Sunday night at the Ishpeming High School Gym. Everyone is welcome to celebrate with the team.
