Recapping games involving Standish-Sterling, Gladwin, Ogemaw Heights, Clare, Pinconning, Beaverton and Harrison, Bay City area teams competing in the Jack Pine Conference.
OGEMAW HEIGHTS 70, BULLOCK CREEK 28
No. 10-ranked Ogemaw Heights erupted for the highest-scoring game in program history, lighting up the scoreboard in a 70-28 victory over Midland Bullock Creek.
The Falcons (5-1, 4-0) clinched a berth in the Jack Pine Conference title game against Sanford Meridian by assuring themselves of at least a tie for first place in the JPC-1.
Ogemaw put its bulldozing running attack on full display, piling up 503 yards while averaging 17.3 yards per carry. The Falcons did not throw a pass in the march to victory.
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Brenson Keith led the charge with 166 yards and a touchdown on seven carries while Calvin Marshall went for 121 yards and two scores on nine rushes. Quarterback Eion Jones added 93 yards and Corie Kanitz 76 yards while Corbin Kanitz and Trent Sutherland each ran for touchdowns.
The scoring continued on defense where Corie Kanitz had two pick-sixes, giving him six interceptions on the season. Jackson Ziegler pounced on a fumble in the end zone for another defensive TD.
Jones registered nine tackles while Lane Winter and Pete Hennard added six apiece in the win.
GLADWIN 25, SHEPHERD 14
It might end up being a second-place game, but Gladwin and Shepherd battled like everything was on the line.
After trailing late in the game, Gladwin rallied for a 25-14 victory, taking sole possession of second place in the Jack Pine Conference-1 and keeping its turnaround rolling. The Flying G’s (3-3, 3-1) have won three straight games after an 0-3 start.
“We got back to the basics in the second half and had a much better performance,” Gladwin coach Marc Jarstfer said. “Our defense was lights-out again outside of a couple explosive plays.”
Preston Willert delivered a three-touchdown performance, hauling in a 19-yard TD reception and rushing for two scores – including a 55-yarder that iced the victory. He finished with 143 yards on 20 carries.
Colton Pfenninger completed 6 of 10 passes for 81 yards and two scores, connecting with Bronson Bigham three times for 63 yards and a touchdown. M.J. McDonald added 48 yards on 11 rushes.
Max Barz registered nine tackles to front a trumped-up Gladwin defense. Logan Walters notched five tackles and an interception while Pfenninger picked off two passes to turn back Shepherd (4-2, 2-2).
CLARE 48, STANDISH-STERLING 22
Clare regained its high-scoring form, snapping a rare two-game slide with a 48-22 victory over Standish-Sterling in Jack Pine Conference-1 action.
The Pioneers (4-2, 2-2) led 21-9 at the half and continued to pile up the points for the much-needed victory. Quarterback Dane Alexander ran wild, going for 170 yards and four touchdowns on 13 carries. He was 3 of 8 passing for 64 yards, connecting with Parker Smith for a TD.
Mason Heintz rolled up 113 yards on 15 carries and Donavan Hoogerhyde added 62 yards on five carries and both hit paydirt with touchdowns.
Brendan Burton and Dylan Kruskamp led the Clare defense with eight tackles each while Smith and Heintz each picked off a pass.
Standish-Sterling (0-6, 0-4) was saddled with its worst start since its winless season of 2003. The Panthers got a spark from quarterback Joel Bellor, who rushed for 135 yards on seven carries, dashing for 58- and 77-yard touchdowns.
Rylee Blanchard pounded his way to 100 yards on 20 carries while Travis Trombley kicked a 39-yard field goal and two PATs. Noah Gratopp led the Standish defense with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery while Marshall Kridler added nine stops and Blanchard seven.
BEAVERTON 26, ST. LOUIS 22
Beaverton won a barnburner with St. Louis for the second year in a row, getting a fourth-quarter touchdown by Landon Love to pull out the 26-22 victory in Jack Pine Conference-2 play.
“I can’t say enough about our perseverance,” Beaverton coach Aaron Seiser said. “We had some guys get banged up but others stepped up when called upon. That’s the kind of effort we need to have as we go into next week.”
Beaverton (3-3, 2-2), which edged St. Louis 30-29 a year ago, was caught in a 20-20 standoff until the late stages when Love scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper.
The senior signal caller delivered a mighty performance, completing 25 of 33 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 16 times for 100 yards and two more scores. He connected with Ian Roberts 12 times for 118 yards and two TDs.
Jack Blades added five receptions for 54 yards and Karter Offenbecker caught four balls for 57 yards in the win.
Blade nabbed an interception on defense and joined Leland Love with six tackles while Ty Wicke registered seven stops. The loss ended the last title hopes for St. Louis (2-4, 2-2).
HARRISON 24, PINCONNING 14
Pinconning broke out of its funk and showed some fight.
But it couldn’t take down defending JPC-2 champion Harrison, which iced the game late for a 24-14 victory.
“Pinconning gave us everything we could handle,” Harrison coach Jamie Lipovsky said. “I am proud of how our kids continued to battle. It’s a huge win for us.”
Clayten Austin ran for two touchdowns and Collin Dennis added one for the Hornets (5-1, 3-1). Dennis also ran for a two-point conversion while Matt Latunski ran for one and passed to Ray Cosgrove for another as Harrison finished 3-for-3.
Pinconning (1-5, 0-4) delivered its finest performance in the past month but couldn’t get over the top.
“I’m proud of how hard the boys practiced this week. That’s a good sign moving forward,” Pinconning coach Walter Mulligan said. “Harrison is a tough opponent and we took them down to the wire. It felt good to compete with a good team like that.”
Jaxon Hill threw for one touchdown and ran for another for the Spartans. He finished 3 of 5 passing for 20 yards, hitting Marcus Pickett for the touchdown. Danny Dubay rolled up 128 yards on 20 carries while Ryan Kowalczyk booted a pair of PATs.
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