The 18th annual Upper Peninsula Football All-Star Game will be held today at the Superior Dome in Marquette, bringing together 79 senior players from a wide swath of the region.
The rosters were assembled with input from coaches representing schools across Marquette, Alger, Baraga, Schoolcraft and Luce counties, ensuring a balanced mix of talent from the Upper Peninsula's diverse communities.
A week of camaraderie and competition
Beyond the game, the athletes will take part in a series of activities throughout the week, from press appearances to community outreach, cementing the event's role as a celebration of high school football in the U.P.
Broadcast partners WLUC-TV6 will stream the contest live this afternoon, with a replay scheduled for Sunday morning on Fox‑U.P. at 11 a.m., giving fans who miss the live action a chance to catch the highlights.
Among the participants are notable seniors such as Grady Gauthier of Negaunee, Braylon Hakkarainen of L'Anse, Broc Bonovetz, Marshall Peters, Alex Brennan, Bodi Bennett, Ben Rayhorn, Louis Salmi, Bailey Lamb, Nash Barabe, Ethan Gauthier, Braylon Hakarainen, Josh Frantti, Aiden Steele, Brad Wiljanen, Jeff Niemi, Sam Gilles, Hunter Thomas, Keegan Davidson, Matthew Rinkinen, Daniel Connor Jr., Jayce Goudreau, Mack Pugh, Jackson Goudreau, Bjorn Anderson, Gavin Comero, Garrett Lewicki, Kadin Kellogg, Dustin Brancheau and Steve Brownlee.
The game also highlights the geographic spread of talent, with nearly a quarter of the players hailing from schools in Marquette, Alger, Baraga, Schoolcraft and Luce counties. Negaunee leads the way with five representatives, followed by L'Anse with four, while Manistique, Marquette, Westwood and Newberry each contribute two athletes. Ishpeming rounds out the list with a single participant.
Northern Michigan University, a longtime supporter of the event, will be represented among the coaching staff and alumni attending the festivities, underscoring the deep ties between the university and the region's high school sports.
WLUC-TV6's coverage, complemented by a re‑air on Fox‑U.P., aims to bring the excitement of the All‑Star Game to a broader audience, reinforcing the importance of community media in showcasing local athletic achievements.