A few days before Sunday’s dramatic Super Bowl, Dowagiac’s own pigskin heroes made a rare offseason appearance at Patrick Hamilton Elementary as part of the school’s “football celebration” Friday.

Members of the Dowagiac Union High School varsity team showed up around lunchtime, signing autographs for students. Next, the players stopped by classrooms for story time.

Finally, the Chieftains were the guests of honor at a school-wide assembly, where Shelley Kurland’s second-grade classroom was recognized for winning the school’s “box top” challenge.  (Submitted photos)