Playoff bound: Ironmen defeat Kalkaska, earn postseason bid

MANCELONA — The Mancelona football team snapped a five-year drought without a playoff bid when it earned a berth after a 24-12 win over Kalkaska in the regular season finale on Friday.

Even after the win Mancelona wasn’t 100 percent sure it had earned enough playoff points to be included in the field, but a record number of five-win teams qualified this season and the Ironmen saw it officially announced during the selection special shown by Fox Sports Detroit.

“The kids were excited. This group of kids, none of them have ever made the playoffs,” said Mancelona coach Dan Derrer. “It was a good reward for the seniors. We’re bringing up all the sophomores to be a part of it. We even brought up a couple freshmen. It gives them an extra week of practice and our younger guys, gives them a little experience of what it’s like.”

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