Kingsford Rolls Past Braves To Clinch Playoff Berth

GLADSTONE----The injury-crippled Gladstone Braves hung with the Kingsford Flivvers for a while Friday night, but the Flivvers pulled away for a 55-20 win at the Marble Athletic Field. Kingsford improved to 6-2 and earned a state playoff berth.

Gladstone entered the game with numerous starters on the sideline with a variety of injuries.

They included Sam Pouliot (leg), Dave Dykowski (back), Riley Ballard (concussion), Cody Malanowski (leg). And Pete Weyers (collarbone) and Jalen Stenson (shoulder) have missed virtually the entire season.

Add to that several boys who quit the team, and you've got a Braves team that was pretty depleted.

But Friday night, the boys who were available did their best. That included three junior varsity players (Kyle Pouliot, Hunter Garling, and Matt Chenier) who were moved up to the varsity squad earlier this week.

Kingsford jumped to a 14-0 lead on a six-yard touchdown run by Jake Allen and a 30-yard scamper by Tyler Roberts.

Jake Peterson diving catch 38 yards for Braves

The Braves came back with a 69-yard drive, highlighted by a 38-yard pass from Tyler Wells to Jake Peterson. Peterson full-out dove for the ball and caught it just above the ground.

Wells later scored on a 12-yard run on 4th-and-6 to put the Braves on the scoreboard. Then Wells passed to Jared Hunter for the two-point play.

Gladstone's defense could barely slow the Flivvers down, however.

Quarterback Joe Hofer was on target with his passing, and the Kingsford offensive line opened big gaping holes for eleven different backs to run through during the contest.

Kingsford answered Gladstone's touchdown with a 37-yard TD run by Brody Sundquist, who ended up with 125 yards rushing on just nine carries.

Sundquist then threw a two point pass to Austin Stanchina, and Kingsford was in front, 22-8.

The Braves moved the ball from their own 14 yard-line into Kingsford territory, but were forced to punt. Kingsford went on a 75-yard drive, capped off by a six-yard touchdown run for Jaxson Ferree.

Kingsford's Tyler Roberts touchdown run

Gladstone's Brad Gagnon blocked the extra point, but the Flivvers still led, 28-8.

Kingsford scored again right before halftime on a 13-yard scramble by quarterback Joe Hofer, and then early in the third quarter, Ferree busted loose for a 42-yard touchdown run.

After Tyler Waisanen's kick, Kingsford had a 42-8 lead.

The Braves had one first down, and on fourth down, they failed on a fake punt. Two Flivver offensive plays later, Roberts scored on a 28-yard run. It was 48-8.

Gladstone (0-8) bounced back with a 71-yard touchdown drive, with Justin Jurek getting all 71 of those yards, including a seven-yard touchdown.

The Braves got their final touchdown with 1:09 left in the game on a six-yard run by Wells.

Wells led the Braves with 101 yards on 20 carries. Jurek had 82 yards on 13 touches.

Gladstone closes its season next Friday night in Calumet. The Copper Kings are 1-7 after they won their first game Friday night against Ironwood, 26-14.

Jeff King player spotlight interview

The Braves-Calumet game will start at 7:00 Friday night, and it wll be broadcast live on WGKL-FM (105.5), WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.

The JV Braves will face Calumet at 3:00 next Friday afternoon in Calumet.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see video highlights, listen to radio replays, and see photos. Thanks Nate Bellville!

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