UP High School All-Star Football Game Is Saturday

The U.P. Football All-Star Game has finalized the schedule and players for this year’s event.  2019 marks the 12th anniversary of the U.P. summer football classic.

This year, the players selected as all-stars were again drafted by the coaches, just like NFL fantasy football leagues and are either on the Red Team or the Black Team.  What started as novelty for the 10th anniversary, the draft was very well-received and the coaches wished to have the draft this year as well.  The draft was held in March at Buffalo Wild Wings in Marquette.

 

The draft took place on Saturday, March 16th at Buffalo Wild Wings in Marquette and was a very spirited event for everyone in attendance, coaches, players and media.  The picks were also reported live on social media for all who want to follow the progress.  The coaches from both teams were in attendance and did extensive research of all players, so they could put together the best team possible that fits their offensive and defensive schemes.  Having the players “mixed” by the draft means not only will players be competing against traditional rivals from other schools, they might also be competing against players from their own school.

 

The game will be played in Marquette at the Superior Dome, on Saturday, June 29, 2019.  Game time is set for 1 PM, with the doors opening at noon.  Many activities are planned throughout the week for the players and coaches.

Friday evening, June 28, is the All-Star Banquet. The banquet provides family and friends a chance to connect with the All-Star players after a long week of practice and activities.  It is formal for the players, and they must take turns standing in front of everyone, introducing their roommate for the week, and telling everyone some things about their roommate.  Players also get recognized for their accomplishments during the Skills Challenge and receive their All-Star Rings. 

The guest speaker will be Jeff Olson, who just finished his last season at Ishpeming, where he brought the Hematites several State Championships over his tenure.  It is sure to be an emotionally charged evening for everyone in attendance.

The U.P. Football All-Star Game will also be donating proceeds to the following U.P. charities: Beacon House, The U.P. Sports Hall of Fame, as well as Brimley, Negaunee and North Dickinson High Schools.  A lottery drawing was performed to select the two schools, and donations will be made directly to the football program of those schools chosen.  Each year, new schools will be chosen until all U.P. schools have received benefits from the game.  Several other schools (Sault Ste Marie, Brimley, Manistique and Westwood) will also receive donations in the form of All-Star Game equipment, including the practice jerseys and footballs.