Nov 1, 2024
Manistique players Andrew Coyer and Kaleb Baker practice blocking drills on Oct. 30, 2024 at Arthur F. Hall Stadium in Manistique. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)
MANISTIQUE — For the first time since 2020 Manistique football earned a playoff berth in the playoffs.
In 2020 every team qualified for the playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You have to go back to 2012 to find the last true playoff berth for the Emeralds.
“The atmosphere around here is really great right now,” Emeralds coach Steve Pugh said. “After the week eight game against Iron Mountain the team is just all energy. We have a great group of senior leaders and everyone is just on cloud nine after getting the playoff berth.”
The Emeralds finished the 2024 season at 4-5 with a sweep over Gwinn and wins against West Iron County and L’Anse. The Emeralds dropped both regular season matchups to Iron Mountain but finished the season with a hard-fought loss against Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 28-16.
The Emeralds will face Iron Mountain tonight in first round action.
The Emeralds as a team rushed for over 1,800 yards on the season and over 2,700 total yards. “That’s a testament to our offensive line,” Pugh said. “We were more balanced this season and our offensive line made that possible.”
The Emeralds defense was very aggressive this season with Masin Tryan picking up All-Conference honors with 38.5 tackles that led the team.
“We have put in a lot of hard work this season,” Tryan said. “Having each other’s back has been our motto this season and it feels great to be rewarded with a trip to the playoffs.”
Bryson Wood received Honorable Mention on defense with 32 tackles, five for loss and 4.5 sacks as well as five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
“We all got together as a team at Wheaty’s Pub to watch the selection show,” Wood said. “Everyone was excited when we saw our name up there and know we get another chance at Iron Mountain, which is a very good team.”
Development has been the goal from the moment Pugh took over the helm as head coach three years ago.
“We have to spend every minute we can getting better,” Pugh said. “What it means is, we won two games my first season, then four last year and missed the playoffs. This year we won four and made it. So next year we need to win five or six and make it that is how we are looking at things.”
Tonight’s game will be at 7 p.m. in Iron Mountain. Tickets will be available on gofan.com and at the stadium with a credit or debit card.
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