Ithaca vs. Montrose.
In the past, Ithaca has gotten the best of Montrose. Is it possible that might change some time?
It’s gotten to be an intriguing postseason rivalry. Last season, it was Ithaca 31-0 over Montrose in the regional final. In 2011, Ithaca won 28-13 in the district final. It was 28-6, Ithaca, in the 2010 regional final. Each year, the Yellowjackets went on to win the state title.
“There’s not a lot of Division 6 teams here by us,” said Ithaca coach Terry Hessbrook, noting it’s usually hard to predict who his team will eventually match up with during the playoffs.
“Montrose, I don’t think we’re going to be able to avoid,” Hessbrook said. “They’re just too close in proximity.”
According to Hessbrook, the games with Montrose “have been absolute wars. They’ve been a battle that takes a lot out of you. They’re very physical. Two of the last three years we’ve hosted them at our place. In 2011, we had to go to their place. When I talked with coach Reinhart last year before the game, we just shook our heads. ‘Can you believe we’re here. The third year in a row?’
“We were excited to get a victory, but I don’t think either of us enjoyed it that much. I don’t think we will be that [excited this season] either.”
The two schools are similar in size, which results in them being in the same playoff division. They don’t play each other in the regular season.
“They have an outstanding program,” Hessbrook said. “Coach Reinhart has been there for a long time. They’ve put some numbers in the MHSAA record book.”
Reinhart, like Hessbrook, was able to guide his team to another 9-0 season. If Ithaca does face Montrose, it could be the best Rams team they’ve seen.
“It’s hard to judge team to team, but this year, we feel we’re stronger than we have been in the last couple of years,” Reinhart said. “We have 20 senors on our roster. A school our size with 20 seniors, that’s pretty good.”
Montrose’s last regular season game was October 25 against Lake Fenton. It ended with a 37-0 Rams victory and conference title.
Now, it’s playoff time.
“Up to this point, we haven’t beaten [Ithaca],” Reinhart said. “We’ve faced them the last three years in the playoffs, and they’ve beaten us all three times. So, I guess until we can knock them off, I don’t think you can call it a true rivalry. Last year, they put it to us pretty good. It was 3-0 with two minutes to go in the half. It was a couple of big plays and the game got away from us. Until we get past that hurdle, they’re the team.”
But Montrose has also been “the team” in many respects, especially this season. “A lot of it is with our senior leadership,” Reinhart said. “Four of our seniors are three-year starters. They’ve been through it. They know what it’s about. Last year, we were a young team.”