Midgets clinch 20th straight playoff appearance with win over Gremlins

HURLEY - Sure Hurley probably could have made the playoffs regardless of Friday night's result.

But from the opening play of the game, when the Midgets' Isaac DeCarlo ran down and knocked the ball loose from Houghton's running back just short of what looked like a sure touchdown, you got the feeling pretty quickly they weren't going to leave anything to chance.

The Midgets clinched a WIAA Division 7 playoff berth with a 22-6 West-PAC win over Houghton. It's their 20th straight trip to the postseason.

While it's a familiar feeling for Hurley, this one means a little more.

"This is real special,...