PHOTOS: Utica Dedicates Football Win To Hometown Heroes

The rain couldn’t dampen spirits Friday night during the first ever Hometown Heros football game.

The Utica High Chieftains defeated the Henry Ford II Falcons 29-0 in what was not only a football game, but also a way to honor local law enforcement and firefighters. 

The game served as a way to recognize Utica, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights police, fire and EMS workers, as well as the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department. 

This is the first time a game has been dedicated to the local “heros” and is being played as a way to thank workers for keeping the community safe. Utica players wore special red, white, and blue jerseys honoring police, fire and EMS stickers. 

Other game activities were on the program as a way to recognize heroes. Leann Shepherd, wife of late Fire Chief Gene Shepherd, was among a group of relatives who delivered the game ball in memory of a fallen hometown hero. Also, Detroit firefighter Ryan Koehn, UHS grad and brother to UHS Coach Todd Koehn helped with the coin toss. 

During the 20-minute extended halftime, a bagpiper performed “Amazing Grace” and the stadium observed a moment of silence. After the game, UHS team captains presented special jerseys to the families of fallen heroes. Each player played in honor of a hero. 

In addition, the stadium was decorated with red, white, and blue balloons and special banners thanking and honoring local workers. Departments brought various vehicles and the Shelby Township Fire Department extended two ladder trucks toward the front of the stadium. A flag hung between the two trucks. 

Shelby Township Firefighter Mark Semaan said the game was a great honor to all local heroes and added that he - and the other Shelby firefighters - especially appreciated the tribute to Shepherd, who died earlier this year. 

Likewise, Jason Armstrong of the Shelby Township Police Department’s Honor Guard said he thought the event was a great way to honor local workers.

“It’s nice that the communities have come together with Utica High to do this,” he said. “Plus, it gives us a chance to get to talk to the people from the other departments that we don’t get to see all the time, especially the guys from Sterling Heights.” 

UHS linebacker Jon Hills played in honor of his dad, a Rochester Hills police officer who died in 1994.

“It’s unbelievable. I love playing for my dad and I love playing for all my hometown heros here. We just respect them so much,” Hills said.