TRAVERSE CITY -- An undefeated, top-ranked Traverse City St. Francis team taking on Hudson for a Division 7 state title.
This is a story that's been told once before.
Six years ago, the Gladiators traveled to the Pontiac Silverdome and secured a 28-14 win over the Tigers in the state championship game.
The venue has since changed to Ford Field, but St. Francis-- undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the state -- is hoping the result will be the same.
"The first thing I remember is we were 13-0 going into that game and had a chance to set the school record for wins," said Josh Sellers, who coached the 2003 squad. "That was floating around a bit in the back of our minds."
The 14-0 feat hasn't been accomplished at St. Francis since that year. But, that could change Saturday as the Gladiators once again roll in at 13-0.
For Sellers, the game was memorable as a first-year coach leading his team to the state title.
"Everything was a whirlwind," he said. "It wasn't until after when everyone was getting dressed and the busses were being loaded up. I was talking with (former Record-Eagle sports writer) Jeff Peek and he kind of put it in perspective. He said, 'Do you know what you've just accomplished?'"
St. Francis jumped out to a 21-0 lead at the half after two short scores from Travis Sivek and one from Sam Schilling.
But Hudson didn't go away easily.
"We were kind of star struck," said Hudson coach Chris Luma, who has guided the Tigers for 13 years. "It was our first Silverdome experience and Traverse City St. Francis showed us something we hadn't seen all year. We did not execute well at all in the first half and dug ourselves in a hole because we were not ready to go."
Hudson made a run at getting out of that hole with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
"All of a sudden it's 21-14," Sellers said. "We ran a belly to Sam Schilling, and he went 80 yards on one play. And he did it on one shoe."
Like this year's team, St. Francis was senior laden in 2003.
"Going in, I knew we had a great group of kids and strong leadership," Sellers said. "Knowing the tradition Hudson had, to beat them was special."
Since the game in 2003, St. Francis has gone on to a 69-8 record, state titles in 2005 and 2008, as well as a runner-up finish in 2007. Sellers left following the 2007 campaign, but plans on being at Saturday's title game in Detroit.
Hudson had a couple of down years, but has gotten back recently. The Tigers have made the playoffs each of the last three seasons and are poised for what could be their first undefeated finish since 1976.
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