Click the AUDIO button to hear post-game comments from Broncos Coach Caleb Adams.
HARRIS---The Bark River-Harris High School football team opened the MHSAA Division Eight state playoffs Friday night with a 59-30 win over the L'Anse Purple Hornets.
Gabe Spear scoref three touchdowns to lead the way. Andy Johnson added two touchdown runs, and Ben Knauf contributed a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Gionni McDonough sprinted for a 73-touchdown run as the Broncos grabbed a 38-6 lead in the second quarter and did not get challenged.
BRH eventually took a 53-6 lead before the Purple Hornets put up three tochdowns late against a mix of veteran and rookie Bronco defenders.
"That was the goal," BR-H Coach Caleb Adams told RRN's Randy McLeod. "We knew we needed to start fast and take the lufe out of the game. Last time when we played them, we let them hang around for quite a long time. They're a good football team. They're junior-heavy, so we're going to see a lot of those kids again next year."
Bark River-Harris will face a familiar foe in the second round of the playoffs next weekend: Maple City Glen Lake. The Broncos beat the Lakers on a miracle touchdown in the final seconds last year in the regionals downstate. This time, the game will be played in the shadows of the Island Resort and Casino Hotel in Harris, after Glen Lake beat Frankfort in their playoff game Friday night.
"When we played them last year in the regional championship game, that one ended in our favor with eight seconds left," Adams said. "We're hoping for less of a heart-stopper this time. They're a good football team. We're familiar with them. They're a run-heavy team us, but they spread it out a little more. They've got some dynamic running backs, and a heck of a linebacker. They're big up front, too, so they match us in size."
Game time for the second-round matchup will be announced later this weekend by the MHSAA.
