Cross canal rivals square off for 68th annual Copper Bowl
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HOUGHTON -- Last year's annual Copper Bowl football game made history but for all the wrong reasons.
The rivalry matchup between the Hancock Bulldogs and Houghton Gremlins was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the first time the game wasn't played since it began in 1953.
While players and coaches were disappointed, its absence only adds to the excitement on the field and in the stands for the 68th annual Copper Bowl at 7 p.m. today at Houghton High School's Alumni Field.
Hancock is the current keeper of the Bowl as they won it in 2019. As well the Bulldogs (2-2) lead the nearly 70-year rivalry with a 42-23-2 record.
Gremlins' head coach Micah Stipech said his team is ready to reclaim it.
"It's a great high school rivalry and event," he said. "I do not need to worry about our team getting fired up for a game like this."
Across the canal, Bulldogs' head coach Ramon Sague said the game is just as highly anticipated in his locker room.
"Every time we have a chance to play Houghton for the Copper Bowl, the team gets so excited about it," he said.
The momentum meter would tend to favor the Gremlins (3-1). They are coming into this week with a come-from-behind 21-20 win against Bark River-Harris.
"In that game, we were down by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and we came back to pull off the win," Stipech said. "The team showed such a resilience."
He added that consistency on offense will need to be a key to staying on top.
"We cannot beat ourselves or give up fumbles," he said. "Our run defense needs to be better, and while our pass defense has been strong, it will be put to the test against Hancock."
If coach Stipech and his squad are looking to stop the Hancock air assault, coach Segue is looking to put up a Bulldog wall against Houghton's run game.
"They have some speed in the secondary with their backfield and wide receivers," he said. "So we are going to have to contain the pass and stop the run. Equally important is to control the line of scrimmage."
With battle plans drafted in each end zone, both coaches think that this classic match up will make for a fantastic night of football.