MENOMINEE — Saturday’s MHSAA Division 7 district championship game between Menominee and Traverse City St Francis did not lack any drama.

A 35-32 overtime win gave the Maroonstheir second straight district title. For 15 seniors, it’s the latest, albeit thrilling, chapter on the road back to Ford Field.

One of those 15 seniors is Kaiden Bell. He may not fill up a stat sheet every week, but his role on both sides of the ball serves as a silent reminder that football is, in fact, a team sport which requires all 11 players to be perfectly in sync to distribute a large amount of violence.

Daily Press sports editor “The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg caught up with Bell after the win over the Gladiators.

Big Dog: Well, that game had no shortage of entertainment, but how does it feel after winning this district championship?

Kaiden Bell: I think it’s a big step forward. We came into this game thinking we could win, and we did. It might not have been the way we wanted, but we got it done and we’re ready for the next step.

BD: I’ve spoken with a lot of seniors on this team. A lot have mentioned how last year still has a bad taste in their mouths and wanting to get revenge. How would you describe the hunger level of this group compared to last year?

KB: Well, losing (in the state title game) last year hurt a lot of us, and it made us want to keep working. I think everyone wants to win one. Losing one sucks, but when you have a team that knows they can get back, you’re hungry.

BD: How would you describe yourself as a football player?

KB: I think I’m a team player. I would like to say I would do whatever it takes to help the team win.

BD: What’s your best subject in school?

KB: Probably science. Freshman year I really didn’t like it. But as I’ve done it more it’s kind of intrigued me.

BD: What makes this team so fun to be around?

KB: It’s the energy, man. Everyone wants to be here. There’s no one who’s holding us down. Everyone’s excited all the time.

BD: Talk to me about Dylan Beal. Tanner Theuerkauf goes down, the crowd gets deflated and Dylan made a huge play. What can you say about him today?

KB: Man, he’s a dog. That’s all I gotta say. Just the way he stepped up when we needed him and the way he stayed calm the whole time. He didn’t try to do too much and led us right down to score a touchdown.

BD: I asked Lucas Thoune this question last week, so I’ll ask you this too: what’s your go-to pregame meal?

KB: Usually, when we play on Saturday’s I don’t eat before a game. Friday night games I’ll eat some light, maybe a burrito from Taco Bell.

BD: Last question here. You get at least one more week with this team. What does that mean to you?

KB: I think it’s going to be way more than one week because I know this group does not want to lose here. If we do go out it’s not going to be here.