The Semco 10U AA squirts pose after winning the state championship on Sunday in Trenton. Semco defeated Rochester 2-0. (Submitted Photo)

HOUGHTON — The Semco 10U AA Squirts won the state championship on Sunday and were welcomed home with royal treatment.

Police and firetrucks escorted the team into Houghton and Hancock from Chassell. The Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team sported its gold jerseys downtown. Across from them, the Houghton Gremlins hockey team waved to the bus as it rode past.

The bus made its way across the bridge and into Hancock, where the Hancock Bulldogs waved and head coach Dan Rouleau stopped the bus and had the squirts come out and high-five his players. The bus finally arrived at Houghton County Arena, where the Finlandia Lions greeted them and welcomed the team home.

“The players were just all in awe. They thought it was the coolest thing,” Semco 10U AA head coach Mario Paoli said. “These are memories I don’t think they’ll ever forget.”

The Semco 10U AA Squirts (28-16-7) defeated Rochester (39-8-3) by a 2-0 score in the state championship game.

Semco had lost to Rochester 4-1 the day before in pool play. Paoli said the team bounced back and beat Saginaw 4-0 in the semifinal Sunday morning, setting up a showdown with Rochester in the championship.

“We felt we were in a good position going into the championship game,” he said. “I felt we didn’t play as good to our potential Sat. afternoon. I felt fairly confident in the players that we’d be able to do well to get the job done.”

Paoli said a big part of the team being prepared for the tournament was its 10 games against Marquette throughout the season. Semco fared with a 3-2-5 record against them.

Paoli knew the road to the state tournament was through the Marquette team. Semco rallied for a 3-2 overtime win.

“After we won they were still texting us and giving us congratulations and saying way to represent the U.P.,” Paoli said of the Marquette coaches after Semco won the state title. “That means a lot for the support. Even with a rivalry like that, we’re still supporting each other.”

The team’s 15 players from Houghton and Hancock schools will have lifelong memories, Paoli said, whether it was the Houghton kids versus Hancock kids during drills in practice, celebrating the state championship, or receiving the victory parade.

“It was a great feeling,” Paoli said. “The kids especially, leading into it after losing (pool play) and instilling the confidence in them that they can do it. It’s not impossible to beat them and win that game. They proved it. They deserved it.”

The team includes: Anders Collard, Dax Jenkins, Gunner Gullstrand, Wesley Mattila, Casey Hiller, Brodi Jenkins, Calvin Rinkinen, Kaelyn Rouleau, Luciano Paoli, Connor Helminen, Ted Kilpela, Nolan Hanner, Fynn Pennala, Jake Mattson, Braden Kari.

Coaches include Mario Paoli, Pete Rouleau, Matt Helminen, Ross Rinkinen and Greg Collard.