Three of the most shocking successes of 2022
This article is all about the most unexpectedly successful teams in 2022! For most of these teams, they fell short of a state championship, but for all of these teams, this season was a step in the right direction. Negaunee…
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Continue ReadingThis article is all about the most unexpectedly successful teams in 2022! For most of these teams, they fell short of a state championship, but for all of these teams, this season was a step in the right direction.
Negaunee
From 5-5 in 2020, 8-3 in 2021, then 13-1 in 2022, the Miners were rolling this season! It’s the first time an Upper Peninsula team advanced to an 11-player State Championship since Munising in 2014.
The Miners began the season defeating a difficult Iron Mountian team, then went on to defeat other difficult teams, such as Gladstone and Calumet, with little resistance. It was without a doubt that Negaunee was the best team in the UP when the regular season ended, but the real test was the postseason. Traveling far and wide, Negaunee crushed Houghton and Menominee by a combined score of 94-0. During the Regional round, The Miners once again defeated Gladstone, this time by a narrower 18-12 score. In the Semifinal, they won a nailbiter against Reed City 13-12. As the State Championship rolled around, The Miner faithful gave the team outstanding support. Negaunee held with West Catholic for the majority of the game, but in the end, The Miners fell. Still, what an incredible season for Negaunee and it’s a season the community won’t soon forget.
Gladwin
Here’s a state championship victor that went through a playoff gauntlet to hoise the trophy! In the Jack Pine Conference, Gladwin rolled every team. In the regular season, their closest game was a 37-7 victory. Then came the playoffs, where The Flying G’s torched Ogemaw Heights and Kingsford in the district rounds.
Next came the Regional and semifinal rounds, which would not prove easy. First, they were faced with Muskegon Oakridge, a program that came in 10-1, hoping for their own historic run. Gladwin said not today and crushed them 26-8. Then came Grand Rapids Catholic Central. GRCC was searching for its 4th-straight state title and is, by all definitions, a powerhouse. After an extremely hard-hitting four quarters, Gladwin pulled off the upset of the ages!
The Gladwin Faithful showed up and showed out for the State Title, and they made sure Ford Field was LOUD! It was an extremely stressful game, but at the last moment, a field goal won it. 10-7, a win is a win. This is a season Gladwin will remember forever.
Groves
The Falcons were a tad rocky all season, but they played their best football when they needed it most. Going into Week 9 against Seaholm, The Falcons were facing playoff elimination, and they were forced to win against their 8-1 rivals to get in. After a huge game by the defense and RB Joshua Woods, Groves got the job done, winning 14-7, and securing a playoff spot.
In the playoffs, they first rolled past Warren Mott, winning 43-7. Next came Seaholm, and this time, it was at their house. The tension brewed for a week straight, and Groves ROLLED Seaholm, winning 26-12 in a statement win. At this point, the season was a W. After facing elimination a few weeks ago, Groves had beat their rival twice and ended their season.
Livonia Franklin came next, and they were having an incredible season. Franklin rolled through the KLAA, losing only to Belleville, and the situation seemed bleak for most. Though Groves believed they could win, and they did. Winning 32-15, The Falcons achieved the improbable. Now, they were in the semifinals against a powerhouse De La Salle team. At the end of that one, Groves got smacked, losing 43-15. Although the season was done, Groves truly reached their potential this season.