Maroons Flatten Braves In Conference Opener, 47-6

MENOMINEE----The Gladstone Braves had high hopes entering their Great Northern Conference football opener Friday night in Menominee.

But the Maroons jumped to a big lead in the first quarter and the Braves committed five turnovers and Menominee cruised to a 47-6 win at the century-old Blesch Field.

Braves quarterback Sam Pouliot threw four interceptions and Menominee running back James Brown scored four touchdowns as the Maroons improved to 4-0 on the season.

Jared Hunter Pass Reception

"The better team won," Gladstone Coach Josh Mileski said. "We had a couple of opportunities that Coach Young put into the passing game. They were brutally wide open, and we just didn't make the plays."

Mileski is referring to two plays in the first half out of the spread offense, where quarterback Sam Pouliot had Riley Ballard wide open for pass receptions, both of which would have been touchdowns. Both of the passes were overthrown, incomplete.

"Those are big game-changers," Mileski said. "Especially in high school football when you're dealing with kids who are emotional rollar coasters. If we hit those, it's maybe 20-20 at halftime. Who knows. But Menominee is a better football team than us. I think we made them look a little bit better than they are at times."

Justin Jurek Red Zone Run

Menominee, playing for the first time in three decades without Ken Hofer at the helm, has not missed a beat.

The Maroons are now 4-0, and on their way to a state playoff berth, most likely with one, and maybe two, home playoff games in their future.

Brown's first touchdown run, a two-yarder, put the Maroons on the board, capping a 67-yard drive. Then after the Braves went three-and-out, Sam Schewe found Devon Harris for a 24-yard TD pass that made it 14-0. After a Justin Jurek fumble, the Maroons marched down the field again, scoring on a 23-yard run by Brown.

That made it 20-0, but it looked like the Braves would cut into that lead, even after Pouliot missed a wide-open Ballard with an overthrow. Pouliot found Jared Hunter for a 35-yard pass play, then passed to Blake Ballard for ten yards and Justin Jurek for 22.

But on third and goal from the eight yard line, Pouliot's pass was picked off by Harris. That started a string of possessions where the Braves threw four straight interceptions.

Sam Pouliot interview

"Once you get down three scores that quick, you start throwing the ball around and you get out of your game plan," Mileski said. "We wanted to run the ball a lot more, but when the score got to where it did, we just couldn't. Things started happening fast."

Indeed. Schewe threw a seven-yard TD pass to Harris to make it 34-0, then Brown had a three-yard TD run and Justin Birlinski scored on a 30-yard scamper to make it 41-0.

The mercy rule was in effect, and even though Jurek ripped off a 60-yard run and Jared Vuksan cashed in with a four-yard touchdown run, it was far too late for the Braves.

Menominee outgained Gladstone, 369-217. Brown led the way for the Maroons with 124 yards on 20 carries and four touchdowns. In the air, Menominee completed 10 of 14 passes for 90 yards and two more touchdowns.

Luke LaCosse Interview.

Gladstone was led by Jurek's 69 yards on 10 carries, and Vuksan's 37 yards on 11 touches. Pouliot was 6-of-16 in the air for 96 yards and four interceptions.

"I'm not making excuses, but we're starting a lot of young guys right now," Mileski said. "We're starting seven juniors and a sophomore on each side of the ball right now. But now, we're halfway through the season, and we can't afford to play like juniors anymore. I still feel highly confident that we have a good football team."

After three straight road games, the Braves will finally play another home game next Friday night. Gladstone will host Marquette, and it will be Braves Homecoming.

Game time is 7:00. The game will be broadcast live on WGKL-FM (105.5) and WCHT-AM (600). And it will be streamed on-line at www.rrnsports.com.

Date	Time	Opponent	Score	Record

8/24	7:00 PM	Gwinn Model Towners	49 - 12 (W)	1-0

8/31	7:00 PM	at Bark River-Harris Broncos	34 - 6 (W)	2-0

9/7	7:30 PM	at Negaunee Miners	34 - 36 (L)	2-1

9/14	8:00 PM	at Menominee Maroons	6 - 47 (L)	2-2

9/21	7:00 PM	Marquette Redmen	14 - 35 (L)	2-3

9/28	7:00 PM	at Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils	19 - 49 (L)	2-4

10/5	7:00 PM	Escanaba Eskymos	25 - 37 (L)	2-5

10/12	7:30 PM	at Kingsford Flivvers	28 - 49 (L)	2-6

10/18	7:00 PM	Calumet Copper Kings	12 - 36 (L)	2-7