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Hard departure for Escanaba seniors

Mark Johnson | Daily Press Escanaba coach Dave Howes talking with his team following Saturday’s regional final 35-6 loss to Grand Rapid Catholic Central. Howes had 24 seniors play their final game for EHS Saturday.

GRAND RAPIDS – Escanaba coach Dave Howes got his team together for some final words at midfield Saturday following the regional championship game 35-6 loss to Grand Rapids Catholic Central.

First Howes addressed the team and then each of his assistant coaches took their turns with the group.

All said their thank yous and said they loved the players and thanks for all their hard work in a very successful 2018 season.

Minutes following the end of the game is an emotional time and there were many hugs and embraces for everybody.

Included in the group of 60+ players and staff, it was an especially emotional time for the 24 seniors listed on the regional game program roster and playing their final game for EHS.

The Eskymo seniors have been part of restoring the winning traditions of Escanaba football in their careers.

Escanaba’s co-Great Northern Conference championship this season is the school’s first GNC title since 1998.

Four straight state playoff appearances and three district titles are the team accomplishments to be proud of for a lifetime.

Esky senior defensive back Nicholas Ramos, who helped preserve the Ludington playoff win with a late-game interception, talked about his team, the coaching staff and their accomplishments.

“The coaches put in a lot of time for us. They have their own kids and jobs or teach and we all put in a lot of time and work hard,” said Ramos.

“We have a lot to bring home. We won districts. Our whole career, seniors, we never lost a home game on our field. Last time we won GNCs was before any of us were born (1998).”

Howes knows how special his senior group has been to the Eskymo football program.

“It’s all about our seniors. This really hurts. They are going to miss football and we are going to miss them,” Howes said.

“We were the top U.P. A-B team this year and co-GNC champs and a lot of players received accolades. Craig (Kamin) was U.P. Player of the Year. Losing seniors every year and the season coming to an end is heartbreaking. What a great year.”

Senior QB/DB Kamin, when asked about his senior teammates, was too emotional to talk. And then he said out loud to the players around him walking off the field “They are all a great bunch of guys,” said Kamin.

Senior wide receiver Jared Nash, who scored the team’s touchdown Saturday, was appreciative of his coaches.

“A lot to do with our success is the coaches. They are with us in all the weather conditions and they are working hard with us,” said Nash.

“We work hard and it shows going deep in the playoffs every year. We will pass this winning tradition on to the sophomores and juniors to build on this.”

Senior players in their final game for EHS were: John Stevenson III, Garrett LaMarche, Ramos, Kamin, Alex Lynch, Christer Carne, Nash, Terence Hirn, Isaac Cooper, Brett Guindon, Kyle Gendron, Noah Tourangeau, Ezekiel Strand, Joseph Jacobson, Nicklas Shanahan, Brayden Huffman, Lucius Padaoan, Isiah Olson, Hunter Deeter, Riley Mayville, Benjamin Stier, Triston Sexton, Benjamin Willis and Austin Willette.

Howes said the program goes through losing the seniors every year and this was a special group.

“It’s a cool thing for these guys knowing they never lost a game from freshman year to senior year on your home field,” said Howes.

“They have been a big part of our success the past four years.”

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