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HOUGHTON -- Football teams from Houghton and Calumet High have been playing each other since the 1920’s.
But the two old rivals have never met in the state playoffs -- until this year.
That meeting came about after the COVID-19 scare prompted the MHSSA to let everyone into the postseason.
So, the two squads will class Saturday afternoon at Calumet. Lake Linden-Hubbell also meets a familiar foe in Forest Park the same day.
Houghton skipper Micah Stipech, who played against Calumet as a player said the change will feel different.
“We’ve always played them during the regular season,” Stipech said. “And they’ve always been good.”
Rookie coach Stipech said Calumet was the team his team wanted to meet.
“Coach (John) Croze runs a first-class program up there," Stipech said, "and we regard this game as a measuring stick to our progress this year.”
The Gremlins, like the Copper Kings, have had just limited practice time this fall.
“Four practices in five weeks,” Stipech said. “Not much time to put things into your game plan. Maybe that’s why Negaunee might not have taken us too seriously.”
Houghton pinned a 15-14 overtime defeat on the favored Miners earlier in the month.
The stiff Gremlins defense has allowed just those 14 points in the three games they played in 2020.
LL-Hubbell and Forest Park played each other often when the teams had 11-man football.
But the Trojans went to the 8-man game five years ago, while the Lakes adopted the game this season.
“The one thing we know is that Crystal Falls will be big and physical,” first-year coach Brett Gervais said. “They always were in 11-man football.”
Forest Park underwent some turmoil in mid-season when longtime coach Dave Graff resigned over COVID-19 concerns in the community.
But Gervais, a standout at LL-H a few years ago, knows all about the Trojans.
“We never could beat them in the playoffs,” he said. “They always seem to get ready for the postseason.”
But the Lakes (3-3) on the season, have some weapons themselves.
They battled No. 2 North Central on even terms in a 34-22 loss earlier, and defeated well-regarded Munising last week by a 6-2 score on a rainy night in Munising.
“I believe we have a good shot at advancing,” Gervais said. “We’re healthy and have a good attitude going in.”
The pressures of not playing a full schedule or getting enough practices in have been felt, Gervais said.
“It hasn’t been easy for anyone,” he said. “But I have a very good group of assistant coaches with lots of experience. That has really been a big help for me.”
Hancock and L’Anse will face teams they seldom see in the playoffs.
The Bulldogs travel to Gladwin, while the Hornets tangle with powerful Traverse City St. Francis.
This is a first-ever meeting of Hancock and Gladwin. L’Anse met St. Francis in 1988 at the Superior Dome in Marquette.