[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 23849-23850]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO THE MENOMINEE MAROONS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 8, 2006

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Menominee 
Maroons, my hometown high school football team that has demonstrated 
tenacity, courage and skill. Two weeks ago, the Maroons brought the 
Division 5 state football championship home to Menominee. The team 
qualified for the state championship after going undefeated in the 
regular season with a record of 9-0. Equally impressive, in five 
playoff games, the Menominee Maroons allowed only one touchdown, 
outscoring their opponents 201 to 6! The Maroons enjoy the distinction 
of being just the third team to shut out four playoff opponents. Also 
notable: this year's Menominee Maroons broke the school's previous 
single-season scoring record of 539 points in a season.

  Head Coach Ken Hofer deserves much of the credit for shepherding his 
team to such success. Coach Hofer has the tenth winningest record in 
the state of Michigan: 266-122-2. This is the second championship that 
his teams have brought back to Menominee, having also won the Class BB 
title in 1998.

  In some ways, Coach Hofer and his style of football harken back to an 
earlier era. Coach Hofer has been at the helm of the Menominee team for 
38 years and during that time he has run the unique, ``single-wing'' 
offense that is reminiscent of 1940s football. Under this offense, no 
one player on Menominee's offensive backfield is a ``traditional 
quarterback'' as each of the four ``backs'' may run or pass the ball. 
This unique formation has successfully confused opponents around the 
state and allowed Menominee to achieve its solid winning record. Under 
the single-wing offense, the center makes a direct snap on each play to 
a player in the backfield. Unlike under the more commonly seen shotgun 
formation, the center snaps the football to a player who may not be 
directly behind him. Despite this irregular technique, Menominee saw 
hardly any turnovers throughout the season, which can be attributed to 
the team's unremitting practice. Ultimately, the single-wing formation 
relies more heavily on teamwork than other formations.

  Menominee's single wing offense is taught throughout the Menominee 
area public school system, starting in 9th grade by Coaches Jeff 
Bayerl, Mark Bayerl and Jim Anderla. Maroons Junior Varsity is coached 
by Greg Langlois and Dave Mathieu. These freshman and junior varsity 
coaches are also part of the ``scouting team,'' which traveled over 
5,000 miles this past season to see and learn opponents' strengths and 
weaknesses in preparation for each Maroon victory.

  I would be remiss if I did not discuss the defense of the Maroons and 
their shutout performance through the playoffs and their efforts to 
hold Madison Heights, their state final opponents, to six points. 
Equally important, the Maroons held their opponents to just 38 points 
during the entire regular season. In the 9 games of the regular season, 
the Menominee Maroons outscored their opponents 332-38, truly an 
astonishing feat. Menominee's performance in the championship game 
built upon this strong showing. The Maroons out-gained Madison Heights 
442 yards to 232, despite Madison controlling the clock by almost 10 
more minutes.

  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and the entire U.S. House of 
Representatives join me in saluting the 2006 Menominee Maroons football 
team of Brian Boye, Tom Janson, Ethan Shaver, Nathan Shaver, David 
Oczus, Matt LaCanne, Dustin Kovar, Austin Fernstrum, Jacob McMahon, 
Bryan Colvin, Matt Eisenzoph, Robert Forgette, Mike Hansen, Derek Rye, 
Blake Chouinard, Scott Demars, Aaron Thomsen, Ryan Paliewicz, Anthony 
Polazzo, Josh Johnson, Tom Carriveau, Zac Robertson, Sam Piche, Ian 
Rider, Brian Smith, Tyler Blom, Donald Jones, Steve Busick, Josh 
Blavat, Andrew Whipp, Nathan Linsmeier, Justin Ketchum, Brian Busick, 
Joe Klitze, Kert Roubal, Trevor Powell, Jacob Pedersen and Cody Woods. 
I would also ask that you join me in honoring the Assistant Coaches 
``Satch'' Englund, Joe Noha and Jamie Schomer who helped drive this 
team to victory as well as Managers Jared Thiesen and Bobby Olsen. 
Athletic Trainers Derek Butler and Dr. Michael Karkkainen and Athletic 
Director Dale Van Duinen should also be recognized for their 
contributions to the Maroons' success.

  Of course, Head Coach Ken Hofer has earned the thanks, respect and 
admiration of all of Menominee, not only for this season, but for the 
38 that preceded it. Coach Hofer has done great work in bringing out 
the best in his players. Coach Hofer said of this year's Menominee 
Maroons, ``These young men came to practice every day, and I don't mean 
just show up. They came to practice hard. And in every game they went 
all out.''

  The 2006 Menominee Maroons football team members are also champions 
off the field. Menominee football is more than just passing, punting, 
running, kicking and tackling; it is about developing the ``inner 
athlete''. Coach Hofer and his entire staff know that the lessons of 
life can be learned on the gridiron. Coach Hofer often talked about the 
team's ``focus''. This team's dedication, commitment and focus are why 
so many Maroon fans followed, supported and believed in their team. The 
2006 state champion Menominee Maroons have clearly learned the lessons 
of life embodied in what another well respected Menominee County coach, 
the late Dale Fountain, often stated:

                          What Really Matters

       ``Never lose track of what really matters. It does not 
     matter how many points you earn, medals you win or trophies 
     you take home. What really matters is what kind of competitor 
     you are, what kind of son or daughter you are, what kind of 
     student you are, and what kind of adult you will become!''



[[Page 23850]]


  Mr. Speaker, my wife, Laurie, and I know many of these championship 
football players and recognize that each of them is a champion in our 
community. Menominee and the people of the Upper Peninsula know that 
when we proudly chant ``U.P. Power'', it is a reflection of our pride 
in our Menominee Maroon football tradition and the fine young men who 
brought home another football championship to our fine community. It is 
with great pride that I ask the U.S. House of Representatives to join 
me in congratulating and honoring these football champions.

                          ____________________