It’s not every Friday night that snow, a rivalry, and Halloween costumes make a their presence at a football game. On Friday night, La Porte and Michigan City played in the ISHAA playoffs for one interesting night at Ames Field.
The game, which matches up county rivals La Porte and Michigan City, meant that one team was going to get their first playoff win in quite some time. La Porte’s last playoff win was in 2008, and Michigan City hasn’t won in even longer with their last win taking place in 2005. Both teams and their fans felt the weight of the occasion on their shoulders as one of them could make it farther than their respective schools has seen in a very long time.
Grant Wozniak, a senior at Michigan City, said that supporting their team in their first playoff game was an inaugural part of propelling the team toward a possible victory.
“I feel like this is the year that we could make history. It’s important that the student section be here despite everything tonight so that the team can hear us and get hyped up to go forward." Ashley Kineigh, also a senior at Michigan City, agreed. “I’ve been watching my brother play on the team for a while, and it’s a special night for all of us. It’s been a good year and you’ve got to stick with your team through all of it. You can’t just give up on them.”
The rivalry and support between La Porte and Michigan City wasn’t just reserved for the teams and their fans. Michigan City Police Detective Marty Corley started a “gentleman’s wager” between him and La Porte County Sheriff Mike Kellems when it was announced that the two schools were going to face each other in the postseason. Both men are heavily involved with the school systems for their cities (Corley is a member of the Michigan City Area Schools Board of Trustees and Kellems is the President of the La Porte Community Schools Corporation Board of Trustees) and thought that have a friendly competition of their own would be a great way to make light of Friday night’s game.
“If La Porte wins I have to supply [Sheriff Kellems] with a dozen cookies from Arturo's Baked Goods & More and a gallon of 1% Milk and if Michigan City wins he has to give me a six pack of taffy apples from Garwood Orchards and a gallon of apple cider. We talked it over together and we wanted to involve some great local business from each of our cities, so hopefully I’ll be getting some apples tonight.” Overall the wager wasn’t about winning or losing, it was about showing support for their community. “It was a good way to enforce a little bit of competition but at the end of the day we’re still a community here in La Porte County working together, and we want to keep doing that.”
Despite the large gusts of wind blowing over the football multiple times in its stand before kickoff could even happen, the game got started with a strong lead for La Porte. Well below freezing wind chill, sleet, snow flurries and powerful winds didn’t stop the teams from pushing through the game. By halftime La Porte was leading 10-0 over Michigan City, and to much of the delight to the visitors. Joe Swanson, a LPHS student dressed in only shoulder pads, a pair of shorts and a hat, said that the scoreboard couldn’t look any better. “It feels great right now. It’s an honor to be here and it’s a special night for our team because this is a great reward for the hard work they’ve put in this season.” Swanson also went on to say his only focus was pushing his team for victory, not the unbearably cold weather. “I’m surviving right now, that’s what matters. All I need is my warm blood, and the devotion to my team. They’re going to beat the Wolves tonight - I guarantee it!”
Swanson was right. The Slicers dominated the next two quarters against the Wolves, and ended up with the final score of 24-0, which secured their place in the sectional championships. Next week the Slicers will take on another team at home for the first time in a very long time, but that night was all about celebrating their victory. As soon as both teams shook hands across the field La Porte quickly gathered together to relish in what they’ve accomplished. Noah Boardman, the defensive captain for the Slicers, was right in the middle of it all and shared the team’s feeling of elation. “I feel great right now. I can’t wait for the next round of the sectional championship. I’m really proud of what we accomplished and nobody thought we could do it so it feels great to win.” Boardman attributed their overwhelming domination of the game to his hard working teammates, and finding words on how much they mean to him was a great task. As each and every one of them was cheering beside him, Boardman had to speak up in order to be heard. “It’s hard to say and hard to express on how proud of my team I am. After two tough years of not winning many games we really worked harder than we ever have this year and it’s really paying off. I’m extremely proud.”
It’s without a doubt that the Slicers coaches, fans, parents and friends of the team were all proud of their win. It’s off to the sectional championships for La Porte, and as the move ahead they’ll for sure always have the memory of winning on that Friday night.