Click the thumbnails to see videos and photos, and to hear halftime interviews of Andrew Karl and Nick Thill.
ESCANABA---The Escanaba High School football team wrapped up the regular season with a 38-12 win over the rival Gladstone Braves Friday night in Escanaba.
The Eskymos finished with an 8-1 record, with only a 34-30 loss to Gaylord as a blemish, and they'll move on to the MHSAA playoffs with a game next Saturday afternoon in Escanaba against a still-to-be-determined team. The playoff pairings will be announced by the MHSAA on Sunday afternoon.
The Braves finish their season with a 3-6 record, but with a bright future given the success of the Gladstone JV team. The Junior Braves capped off a 7-2 season with a mercy-rule win over the Eskymos, and many of those guys will be on varsity in 2026.
But on Friday night, it was all Eskymos. Quarterback Nolan Bink took control right off the bat, breaking off a 72-yard touchdown run on the second play of the game, and then scoring on a 12-yard TD run on his team's second possession.
Escanaba did have two turnovers in the second quarter, with Andrew Karl intercepting a Bink pass, and Jack Savard recovering a Bink fumble in the red zone. But the Eskymo defense prevented the Braves from moving the football, and then late in the half, Braves punter Carter Farnes bobbled a snap, fumbling at the five yard line.
Escanaba took advantage quickly on a five-yard touchdown run by Jacob Prey. Earlier, Bryce Bichler caught a Bink dump-off pass and took it 37 yard-line, coming up just short of the goal line at the four yard-line. But Bichler cashed in on the next play with a run and five at the pilon.
Gladstone used some trickery to score early in the third quarter. Quarterback Vinny Rebholz tossed it to Trevor Thorbahn, who threw it to a wide-open Mason Serpien for a 64-yard touchdown pass. The Braves missed the two-point conversion.
Escanaba was banged up entering the game, with top runner Brody Ison playing limited minutes, along with Keagan Braun and Graham Johnson. The cast on Johnson's hand did not affect his leg, as he made all five of his extra point kicks.
Back-up Isaac Lambert kicked a 27-yard field goal to close Escanaba's scoring.
Gladstone's final touchdown of the season came on a run by senior Owen Gereau in the final minute of the fourth quarter. The Braves again missed the two-pointer, losing 38-12.
