MOUNT PLEASANT – About a month ago, former Ishpeming quarterback Alex Briones stood on the sidelines at Ford Field and watched his alma mater, Ishpeming High School, win its third state title in four years.

Now a linebacker at Central Michigan University, Briones will return to the Detroit Lions’ home field to participate in his first college bowl game, the Quick Lane Bowl against Minnesota.

“It’s pretty cool how that worked out,” he chuckled. “I feel like Ford Field is kind of a home field for me.”

After winning back-to-back titles in Detroit with the Hematites, Briones headed off to CMU to play for the Chippewas. He didn’t know what to expect when he got there, but played in three games during the course of the season, making five tackles.

“I wasn’t really sure what would happen coming into the season because I came in January and they could’ve redshirted me, but then they decided not to,” he said. “I actually got some decent playing time, so it was nice to get my feet wet in that area. I just felt so privileged to be out there. I didn’t expect to get on the field much.”

For many students, college can be a quite an adjustment, especially when it comes to athletics. That was the case for Briones.

“It felt really different,” he said. “Coming from a small town, you don’t see a lot of (NCAA) Division I players and for me to come down here, it was a new experience. It was really something. It was a whole new brand of athletes. Your schedule is so much different, too. It’s definitely a different feeling.

“It’s definitely not as much of a family like it was in high school. I wish it was more like that.

“Offense and defense kind of do their own thing. It’s more of a business. We used to be all from the same town, we grew up there. Now we’re all from different areas of the world and we’re here to better ourselves.”

Perhaps his biggest adjustment was switching positions, as he went from leading the team as a quarterback to the defensive side of the ball. He’s still hopeful that he might get to see some offensive action at some point.

“That was definitely hard because I used to have the ball in my hands every play on offense, scoring touchdowns and all that stuff,” he said. “Now, I’m in college and I’m only on defense. I don’t get to touch the ball much, if at all, and I don’t get to score touchdowns. It’s definitely a different role, but I enjoy playing defense.”

Things truly hit home for Briones when he stepped onto the field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium before the Chippewas first home game and was overcome by the fact that he was about to officially play Division I college football.

“That was awesome,” he said. “It was our first home game against Oklahoma State. I got to the field with my team and before the game, you can walk out on the field. I walked down there and when I got to the field, I was looking around and I really couldn’t believe that I was there, that I’m about to play. This is crazy. I actually teared up on the field before the game and then I got myself together and got ready to go.”

Briones didn’t see any action against the Cowboys (CMU lost 24-13), but he got into the Chippewas’ second contest against Monmouth University (a 31-10 win) and recorded a solo tackle.

A month later, Briones saw his first significant action against rival Western Michigan down in Kalamazoo (CMU lost 41-39). He picked up two solo tackles and an assisted tackle.

“The first game that I played in, I only got a few snaps, and then the next game I got to play in against Western, I played a lot in the second half,” he said. “Our senior linebacker, he got injured and it was between me and another kid, and I got to play.

“It definitely was interesting (playing on the road). I remember once we got to Western, we were coming out of the locker room and all of their fans were yelling some bad things to us. That’s something you never see in high school football. So that was a transition to college. It was a different atmosphere.”

Briones says his most memorable play so far came against Buffalo during a blowout win at home in mid-October, which was the last game that he’s appeared in.

“I remember against Buffalo that I got into the game and they ran like a stretch play,” he said. “I saw it and I kind of shot my gap and I tackled him. I stopped him right in the backfield. I was pretty proud about that one.”

After the Chippewas wrapped up their regular season, Briones attended the high school Division 7 state championship game and cheered on his former teammates. He eventually made it to the sidelines to see the winning touchdown as well as the defensive stop to win the title.

“That was awesome,” he said. “I came to the game and I was watching and it was different being up in the stands. When the fourth quarter came and Ishpeming was driving the field, I went down there.

“It was just nice to be down there and seeing all those kids. When I was a senior quarterback, all of those kids looked up to me. It was just cool to be down there and see them do what I used to do. I was really proud of them and how far they came.”

During Ishpeming’s comeback in the fourth quarter, the Hematites called a timeout and Briones spoke to inspire the Hematites’ QB, who was his former backup, Ozzy Corp.

“Corp and I were best friends and I haven’t really gotten to talk to him much since I graduated,” he said. “I remember when we called a timeout and I knew he was tired. I think he carried the ball more than 30 times that game. I went over to him, grabbed him by the jersey and I said, ‘Finish this.’ That’s all I said and he ended up doing it.”

When asked if he thought Ishpeming would be able to complete its rally and nail down the state title as he stood on the sidelines, Briones said he did. He also feels that the large amount of work that they put in is the key to Ishpeming’s success, as well as the abilities of head coach Jeff Olson.

“After we were getting three, four, five yards every play, if we kept doing that, I knew we had a chance,” he said. “I could see that Pewamo-Westphalia’s defense was getting worn out and Ishpeming isn’t going to get worn out. They’re going to keep going. The line is going to stay low, the backs are going to run hard. That’s just how it is.

“After graduating, I talked to some other high school players that I used to play against and I don’t think any other high school team has put in the work that Ishpeming has over the years. I don’t think any other teams train as hard as we do or want it as bad as we want it.

“Secondly, Jeff is a phenomenal coach. He gets you ready and he puts you in the right position to be successful. When the kids have that sense of direction, that really helps. He’s just a good coach.”

After watching his former school pick up their huge victory, Briones now looks to earn his first bowl win on Monday in a game that will be televised by ESPN2 starting at 5 p.m. There’s a decent chance he might get some playing time as well.

“I’m second string right now, so I could go in at any time, really,” he said. “It’s exciting for sure. My parents have been at every home game. They even came to Western Michigan, too. That meant a lot because it’s my first college football season and they wanted to show their support.”

With his first season coming to a close, Briones is happy that he’s made it this far and is proud of what he’s accomplished.

“It’s a great sense of pride for me,” he said. “Not many kids get this opportunity. For me to get this opportunity after a lot that I’ve been through, I really feel proud of myself.

“I feel like I deserve that feeling after all that hard work I’ve put in during high school and every goal that I’ve worked toward. I finally got here and I’m glad I’m here.”

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 246. His email address is rstieg@ miningjournal.net.