Marquette Beats Gladstone For Homecoming Win

MARQUETTE---The good news is that the Gladstone Braves scored 32 points in their football game Friday night in Marquette. That's more points than the Braves had scored in their previous four games, combined. But now, the bad news.

The Marquette Redmen scored touchdowns on all nine of their offensive possessions and beat the Braves, 63-32, on Homecoming at William Hart Stadium.

Braves QB Sam Pouliot throws a pass.

Gladstone got off to a good start as Sam Pouliot hooked up with Riley Ballard for a 70-yard touchdown on the Braves' first possession. Justin Jurek ran in the two-point conversion, and Gladstone had a quick 8-0 lead.

It was the Braves' first lead of the season, in their fifth game.

Marquette had the answer, however, and it took less than two minutes for the Redmen to strike.

Brett Beauchamp broke off a 35-yard run, and then moments later, fullback Paul Smith went in from four yards out. Max Bednarek kicked the extra point.

Gladstone went three-and-out and had to punt. Marquette chewed up more yardage quickly as Beauchamp had runs of 30 and 25 yards on consecutive plays, setting up Smith for a three-yard plunge. After Bednarek's kick, the Redmen led, 14-8.

Coach Cody Kangas Post-Game Comments

The Braves started on their own 20 yard-line after yet another touchback off the foot of Bednarek, and managed to get a couple of first downs before having to punt again.

The Redmen started on their own 22, but on the first play, Beauchamp sprinted for a 39-yard run into Braves territory. A few plays later, Smith scored again. It was 21-8.

Gladstone was again able to move the ball for a couple of first downs, but the drive stalled just across the 50 yard-line.

Christian Groleau (8) with the catch.

After a punt set the Redmen up at the 14 yard-line, it didn't take long to drive those 86 yards for another touchdown, just before halftime.

This time, Beauchamp had a 28-yard run, and Smith had his fouth TD of the first half.

In the third quarter, it loooked like Gladstone finally had a defensive stop when the Redmen faced 4th-and-16 at the 48.

Marquette punted, but a roughing-the-kicker penalty gave the Redmen the ball again. And quarterback Brett Place hooked up with receiver Kurt Burmeister on a 30-yard TD pass. It was a 35-8 game.

The Braves did not give up. They went on an 80-yard drive in 15 plays, with Pouliot finding Ballard for a nine-yard touchdown pass on third down. Pouliot then threw to Jared Hunter for the two-point play, and the Braves closed to within 35-16.

Riley Ballard Touchdown #3

But Gladstone could not contain the Marquette offense. Beauchamp raced 66 yards for another touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter, and after another Bednarek kick, it was 42-16.

Beauchamp ended up with 252 yards rushing on 12 carries.

The Braves again managed to get a couple of first downs, but on fourth and long near midfield, the play broke down and Pouliot was running for his life.

Mqt's Elijah Weber delivers big hit; Sam Pouliot gets up though!

He scrambled well, but then got crushed by Marquette's Elijah Weber. The hit left the huge crowd gasping, but Pouliot got up quickly and ran to the sidelines as Marquette took possession.

And the Redmen put the game away with their reserves on the field. Kyle Dickinson scored on a seven-yard run to make it 49-16. Ballard came back with a 60-yard touchdown run for the Braves moments later, and Pouliot scored the two-pointer.

Braves Converge on Redman Paul Smith.

But Marquette was unstoppable on this night, even with reserves on the field.

Dickinson scored his second touchdown...this time from 15 yards out...and it was 56-24 after yet another kick by Bednarek.

With the game's outcome not in doubt, both teams substituted freely as the clock ticked down on the fourth quarter.

Ballard took the first hand-off after the Braves got the ball back, and he raced 80 yards for another touchdown. It was his second rushing touchdown of the game, to go along with two receiving touchdowns.

A pass from Pouliot to Justin Jurek tacked on two more points, and brought the Braves to within 56-32. Ballard ended up with 228 rushing yards on 13 carries, and caught two passes for 79 yards. He has scored seven of Gladstone's eight touchdowns this season.

Riley Ballard TD; Justin Jurek 2pt run

Marquette (4-1) scored the game's final touchdown on a seven-yard run by Weber with 50 seconds left in the game. Bednarek, who went 9-for-9 on extra points, made this a 63-32 final.

Marquette had 541 yards of offense. Gladstone had 454 yards.

The Redmen enjoyed a Homecoming victory after being stunned by Escanaba last weekend in Escanaba. They are two wins away from a state playoff berth.

Gladstone (0-5) will try to get that first victory next Friday when the Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils come to Gladstone for Braves Homecoming. Game time is 7:00. It will be broadcast live on WGKL-FM (105.5), WCHT-AM (600), and www.rrnsports.com.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and videos, and to listen to audio highlights and interviews. Thanks to Ron Jurek and Mike Dagenais for their help!

Date	Time	Opponent	Score	Record

8/29	7:00 PM	at Gwinn Model Towners	6 - 18 (L)	0-1

9/7	6:00 PM	at Roscommon Bucks	12 - 36 (L)	0-2

9/13	7:00 PM	Negaunee Miners	0 - 38 (L)	0-3

9/20	7:30 PM	Menominee Maroons	6 - 56 (L)	0-4

9/27	7:30 PM	at Marquette Redmen	32 - 63 (L)	0-5

10/4	7:00 PM	Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils	22 - 45 (L)	0-6

10/11	7:00 PM	at Escanaba Eskymos	16 - 41 (L)	0-7

10/18	7:30 PM	Kingsford Flivvers	20 - 55 (L)	0-8

10/25	7:00 PM	at Calumet Copper Kings	32 - 36 (L)	0-9