On Thu, Sep 28, 2023 at 9:13 PM Matt McCarthy <sweetsmccarthy@gmail.com> wrote:
KINGSFORD — In sports, anniversaries of major accomplishments are often celebrated. Recently in conjunction with their home opener of the 2023 football season versus Gladstone, the Kingsford High School athletic department organized a reunion for the 30th anniversary of the 1993 MHSAA Class B state champion Kingsford Flivvers football team.
Approximately two dozen players from the undefeated squad, as well as the four coaches took part in the festivities. Head coach Chris Hofer, as well as assistant coaches Andy Wiltzius, Dan Short and Jeff Harry took part in the pregame coin toss as honorary Flivver captains for the game.
Kingsford athletic director Chris Hartman, who organized the majority of the event, had a tent in the north end zone set up for the reunion participants and their families, where everyone was provided a tailgate style meal, along with an outstanding view of the game.
At halftime, the players were introduced to the large opening night crowd at Flivver field, as well as assistant coaches Wiltzius and Short. Hofer and Harry, who are currently on the Flivvers coaching staff, had halftime obligations in the Don Edens Field House.
As the players who attended were introduced, each of them lined up on the track in front of the grandstand to a large ovation.
Once all the introductions were complete, the public address announcer read the four names of the players from the ’93 squad who have passed away. A moment of silence was observed for Scott Guiliani, Jeremy Gendron, Scott Jones and Todd Schoen.
Many fond memories were shared in the tent, with the championship team players and coaches Wiltzius and Short. The most significant thing from that season three decades ago that stands out to reunion attendees is the epic battle they had with crosstown rivals Iron Mountain, coming out on the winning end, 24-14 at Flivver Field.
Both the Flivvers and Mountaineers won state championships at the Pontiac Silverdome on Nov. 26 of that year, however only the Flivvers were undefeated at seasons end.
“One thing I remember vividly is once we got home from the title games, both us and Iron Mountain, was the police escort we got coming into Iron Mountain on US 2,” said Flivvers running back Jason Gendron. “Turning and going down H street past the VA (Hospital), how many people there were, tons of people. The whole community coming together, both towns as one to celebrate both teams. I’d bet that will never happen again with the same circumstances.”
The week 7 game between the Twin City rivals wasn’t the only game that stood out in that season to coach Wiltzius.
“What gets lost in that season when we all recall the Iron Mountain game and the playoff run, is the great regular-season game we had with Menominee,” Wiltzius said. “They were a really good team, they finished 7-2, but in those days, two losses didn’t make the playoffs most of the time. They pushed us right to the end of the game.”
Of the four playoff games the Flivvers won that season, their 19-8 win over Belding in the semifinals at the Superior Dome sticks out in coach Short’s memory.
“Their (Belding) fan base was something else. As we came out of the locker room, they were chanting at you,” Short said. “They were really well coached and had lots of years of success.”
Both Short and Wiltzius were in agreement that the overall team toughness in ’93 set them apart from their competition. The whole season had a one game at a time focus - pound out each game and move on to the next one.
Gendron and some of the other players also recollect practicing at Michigan State University on their way to Pontiac for the title game, and how enjoyable of an experience that was as well.
A great night was capped off by a 35-12 win for the 2023 Flivvers over long time foe Gladstone.
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