HOUGHTON — Growing up a Houghton-Portage Township schools kid, current Houghton Gremlins hockey coach Micah Stipech learned of the rivalry between his beloved Gremlins and the Hancock Bulldogs in high school football at a young age. By the time he was in high school, he could not wait for his opportunity to play a part in the annual clash.

Not only did Stipech get to play in the game twice, he also had the chance to coach the Gremlins in the game twice.

“It’s something that you look forward to and dream of playing in,” he said. “I think it’s one of the great things about a youth sports experience in small towns that you look forward to playing for your high school team and in a rivalry game. The kids on the other side of the bridge are doing the same thing.

“So, those are special moment

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