On the field was the Wildcats’ current signal caller, Cody Kater, who is one of the most-highly touted QBs in the Midwest, leading his team to what he hopes is a second consecutive state title trophy.

On the Montague sideline was current Montague coach Pat Collins, a Montague quarterback in his own right, who helped lead the Wildcats to a 12-1 record and state runner-up honors in 1992.

And across the field, coaching the opposition, was Lake City Head Coach Tim Peterson, who quarterbacked Montague’s 9-0 team in 1984.

For Peterson, who also is high school principal at Lake City, this weekend’s opening round of the football playoffs was about getting his team ready to face one of the most talented teams in the state. But he couldn’t help view the game as a sort of homecoming as well.

“It’s bittersweet, that’s for sure,” said Peterson, who was manning the Lake City school phones himself when the Beacon called to talk to him Thursday afternoon. “There are only two teams in the state I want to see win: Lake City and my hometown Wildcats. Unfortunately, both teams are on the same field (Friday night).”

Indeed, his heart seemed a little torn when he answered, as if he was saying ‘of all the teams in the state we could have played...’

Perhaps he was still feeling a little bit of ‘What might have been’ as well?

Although the ‘84 Wildcat team was undefeated, having posted four shut outs and outscoring teams 24-6 (on average) through nine games, the team did not acquire enough points to make it to, what was then, the first of four weeks of playoffs. “We had a nice ball team,” recounted Peterson. He said they ran their offense out of an I-formation and played a 53 defense as well. “We played a much more conservative type of ball than they do now. It was mostly play-action, not the four-or-five receiver (sets) you see Montague running today.”

Although Peterson is quite aware of how strong the current Wildcat squad is, he claimed Thursday that his team will have a few tricks up its sleeve as well. “I think we do some things that (Montague) hasn’t seen. But, Montague is so strong, so talented that we’re going to have to play our very best game to get past them.

Lake City, which won seven games in the regular season, is a member of the Highland Conference. The Trojans dropped its season-opener to West Michigan Conference member Mason County Central 26-6. Montague defeated Mason County 56-13 in Week 8 en route to the Wildcats’ first league title since 2004.

Upon finding out their old teammates was returning to his old stomping grounds, several Montague fans have contacted Peterson to provide a little good-natured ribbing. “It’s been awhile since I’ve been back, but that hasn’t stopped them,” Peterson said with a laugh, about receiving calls from former teammates. “I’m getting lots of taunting and things like that. I can take it.”

Even though this is clearly a business trip, Peterson was likely to at least take a look back over his shoulder, as his team’s bus pulled into Stanton Boulevard and through his hometown, as they return to Lake City.

“I have fond memories of growing up (in Montague), and I’m proud of the success they’ve had through the years,” said Peterson. “I’m filled with mixed feelings over this. It’ll really be nice to back there again.”