Title Towns, 1993

The greatest football season in the history of Kingsford and Iron Mountain high schools?

Hard to argue with 1993, a campaign 25 years ago featuring an all-time classic game between the Twin City rivals and two state champions separated by an avenue.

The preseason talk indicated good seasons ahead. But two state champions?

FORMER KINGSFORD FOOTBALL coach Chris Hofer holds his plaque after being inducted into the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame on May 11, 2019. Hofer led the Flivvers to four state championship game appearances between 1990 and 1996. He compiled a 253-94 record in 31 seasons with the Flivvers. (Daily News file photo)

“I think we can be good team but we have to improve a lot in some areas,” Kingsford Coach Chris Hofer said in August of 1993, needing to rebuild both the offensive and defensive lines.

In the previous season, the Flivvers had suffered their second state championship loss in the Silverdome. Marysville rallied past Kingsford 21-12.

“We just haven’t been able to play well in the finals,” Hofer said. “Granted. we’ve been playing good teams.”

Kingsford was armed with 17 letter-winners, including five returning starters, for 1993.

The Mountaineers had more confidence, returning quarterback Gabe Leonard, wide receiver-defensive back Bryan Schorman and nine other players with starting experience.

“If we’re not back in there we’ll all be disappointed,” IM Coach Tom Wender said of the playoffs. “We’re pretty optimistic. Since we’ve been around here we think this is going to be one of our better clubs.”

The results of the 69th Twin City rivalry game heightened expectations for the rest of the season. In a battle of unbeatens ranked one and two in the U.P., the Flivvers held off the Mountaineers 24-14. The difference was 15-14 with four minutes to go at Flivver Field.

“A good game played by two good teams,” Hofer said.

Mike Olson and Jason Gendron touchdown runs put Kingsford ahead 12-0. Leonard to Schorman TD passes along with Dan Marttila PAT kicks gave IM a 14-12 edge with 10 minutes left in the first half.

Kingsford capped an eight-minute drive in the second quarter with a 36-yard Dave Raiche field goal. That 15-14 score held up until Ryan Davis grabbed a 34-yard touchdown pass from Andy LeBlanc and also snared Leonard for a safety.

Davis also recovered a fumble in the game.

The Mountaineers threatened to score twice in the third quarter, moving to the Flivver 7 and 28 before quarterback sacks thwarted those chances.

“We beat ourselves. They didn’t beat us. I firmly believe that,” Wender said at the time. “I’m not taking anything away from their ballclub. It’s a good ball club.”

One estimate had more than 5,000 fans at Flivver Field.

“I think everybody got their money’s worth,” Wender said.

Neither team lost for the rest of the season. Iron Mountain qualified for the Class C state tournament and Kingsford in Class B.

The Flivvers defeated Saginaw Swan Valley, Harrison and Belding in Marquette’s Superior Dome. The Mountaineers rolled through playoff foes East Jordan, St. Ignace and Muskegon Catholic Central.

The Twin City teams now made state championship game plans for the Friday after Thanksgiving in the Pontiac Silverdome — IM with Manchester and Kingsford with Imlay City.

The Mountaineers practiced in Green Bay, Wis., (Packers) and South Bend, Ind., (Notre Dame) en route to South Bend.

With Leonard throwing and running for scores, the Mountaineers dispatched Manchester 28-8 after leading 14-0 at halftime. Don Bunnin grabbed the TD pass from Leonard and Steve Olivanti connected with Schorman from 42 yards out for the other. Jeff Angeli also ran for a touchdown.

“This is for Mountaineers everywhere,” Wender said.

The Mountaineers, after their first state football championship, stuck around to cheer on their neighbors in the Class B final.

“On Friday, it was like we were one big town from the U.P.,” said Flivver tackle Steve Porter.

Mike Raketich led the Flivvers to the title, scoring three touchdowns and intercepting a pass in a 35-14 win over Imlay City. Raketich hauled in a 42-yard screen pass from LeBlanc for one touchdown.

“In 1990, we lost to Tyrone Wheatley, and last year we lost to Coach (Walt) Braun,” Raketich said after the game. “But 1993 is only going to be the year of the Flivvers.”

Mike Olson, who topped 100 yards rushing in the rivalry game with the Mountaineers, gained 109 on 10 carries against Imlay City. Gendron and LeBlanc also rushed for scores.

“We needed teamwork all season long to win games,” LeBlanc said.

Playing previously in the Superior Dome benefited both U.P. teams in the warm Silverdome.

Wender offered the line of the season in comparing the indoor facilities after the title game, stating “that’s a truck garage (Superior Dome) and this is a palace.”

The Flivvers finished as one of four unbeaten teams in the state. The Mountaineers were a game back. Both emerged with state titles.