NEGAUNEE, MI – 9/24/2014 –Two losses in a row. Two games that were in their grasp, but slipped away. The Negaunee Miners haven’t been in a position like this in a couple years. After a dominating win in Manistique, the Miners have had a shaky win against Calumet before back-to-back losses to Gladstone & Iron Mountain. With three of their last five games being played at home, the Miners are still in good shape to make a playoff run in 2014. Although, one of those is against the vaunted Ishpeming Hematites, who look like the senior class they just graduated merely has put on new numbers.
For the Miners to pick up a win this week, they have one simple job: Don’t underestimate their opponent. The Gwinn Modeltowners are coming into this game with an 0-4 record, and have been outscored drastically, 162- 52 in the early half of the season. Their defense struggles, giving up an average of 40.5 points per game. The Miners offense has struggled lately, not breaking 20 in either of their last two games. However, the Modeltowners offense is capable of scoring the ball. A team that comes in 0-4, with an offense that can score at times, while going up against their biggest rival, and with a chance to spoil that team’s homecoming game all adds up to the ability to pull off an upset. So that’s the Miners job: Don’t underestimate the Modeltowners. This is a game the Miners should win on paper. The games aren’t played on paper, though. If you let a team like Gwinn hang around, don’t go 100 percent all game long, and not play to your full potential, then you’re just asking for a nervous Friday night and homecoming.
Tune in this Friday night at 6:30pm for all of the pre-game coverage, followed by a 7pm kickoff. It’s homecoming! A fun week for the students, teachers, and coaches that every senior remembers. Join Jesse Anderson & myself as we’ll have the call from Miners Stadium on the home of the Negaunee Miners: SunnyFM!
-Carl Leander Johnson
