Roscommon Makes Big Plays To Sink Braves, 36-12

ROSCOMMON---Two steps foward, one step back.

That's probably the best way to analyze Saturday night's varsity football game between the Gladstone Braves and the Roscommon Bucks.

The Braves made the long trip downstate and made s0me improvements from last week's loss to the Gwinn Model Towners.

But Gladstone also had some breakdowns in areas that had been strong last week, in particular, on defense, and Roscommon rolled to a 36-12 win over the Braves.

Roscommon uses a 'spread' offense, but after an early touchdown through the air, it was the Bucks' ground game out of that 'spread' that sent the Braves 255 miles north with a loss.

Roscommon senior running back Brett Jobin rushed for 169 yards on 20 carries and scored four touchdowns as the Bucks gradually pulled away from the Braves on the scoreboard.

Jobin scored on runs of 43, 5, 16, and 21 yards in the Bucks' victory.

Coach Cody Kangas interview.

Throughout the night, Gladstone tried to keep pace, and the team did compete better than it did in an embarrassing 18-6 loss at Gwinn a week ago.

This time, the Braves were able to move the ball on offense, accumulating 273 yards in total offense, with 154 on the ground.

But Roscommon (1-1) struck quickly through the air, going 66 yards on three plays just 1:10 into the contest. Quarterback John Miller hooked up with receiver Dylan Andrews for a 54-yard touchdown passing play. Roscommon would not have much more success through the air, but the tone was set, and the Braves had to respect the pass.

That opened the door for Jobin, who is a nifty runner who has good speed to match. As the night moved on, any time the Bucks needed a play, they turned to Jobin.

Gladstone trailed, 8-0, and Roscommon was knocking on the door when Jake Cronick recovered a fumble at the five yard-line. The Braves went on a 95-yard drive, capped off by a 53-yard touchdown pass from Jared Hunter to Riley Ballard.

Hunter to Ballard for Braves TD

The conversion was no good, so it stayed 8-6. But it didn't take Roscommon long to respond, as Jobin rambled 43 yards for a touchdown less than two minutes after the Gladstone touchdown. That made it a 14-6 ballgame.

Gladstone's next possession ended in an interception, and the Bucks went 55 yards in eight plays, which Jobin scoring from five yards out. It was 20-6 at halftime.

The backbreaker came early in the third quarter. The Braves defense seemed to be in command as Chris Richer and Dave Dykowski each had quarterback sacks on consecutive plays. But on fourth and goal from the Gladstone 16, Jobin scored a touchdown as the Gladstone tackling abilities left a lot to be desired.

After the two-point pass, it was 28-6, and the game was pretty much over.

Gladstone did manage a quick drive in the dying seconds of the third quarter that ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Hunter to Dykowski. That score cut the lead to 28-12, but Jobin scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the night to cap the scoring.

Jobin led the Bucks with 169 yards on 20 carries and four touchdowns. Quarterback John Miller had 125 passing and 43 running yards. The Bucks had 325 total yards.

Hunter to Dykowski for Braves TD.

For Gladstone, Tyler Wells had 63 yards in 16 carries, and Riley Ballard had 56 yards on 13 touches.

Hunter completed 7 of 18 passes for 119 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Gladstone had 273 yards of total offense.

Gladstone (0-2) will have its home opener next Friday night against the Negaunee Miners. Game time is 7:00. Catch the broadcast on WGKL-FM (105.5), WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos from the game, and to listen to audio highlights and interviews.

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