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Negaunee runs roughshod on winless Gogebic

Negaunee’s Alex Zampese, top right, jumps on teammate Theo Kumpula to celebrate Kumpula’s fumble recovery for a touchdown during the second quarter of Friday night’s game at Massie Field in Bessemer. No identification was available for the Miners’ play at left. (Ironwood Daily Globe photo by Jason Juno)

By PAT KRAUSE

Ironwood Daily Globe

BESSEMER — Negaunee scored 50 unanswered points in the first half as the Gogebic Miners fell to the another set of Miners from the central Upper Peninsula 50-8 in their Homecoming game at Massie Field on Friday night.

After starting the season 0-2, Negaunee has rebounded to win four of their last five games and is starting to get a case of playoff fever.

“We played well tonight, we came to play,” Negaunee head coach Paul Jacobson said. “We’re improving each week. We got off to a good start on both sides of the ball and I think that kind of stunned Gogebic early on.

“I think we’d have to win out to make the playoffs, but I really like this team. The kids have a good work ethic and don’t mind putting in the work and the time. And the kids like each other, too.”

Gogebic coach Mark Mazzon was also impressed with Negaunee’s team, but then it seems like all the West PAC teams can bring it every week.

“We played a very good team tonight,” Mazzon said. “They are well coached, too. I think it’s the first time a Negaunee team has come over here to play. They are tough competition, but so will Westwood be next week.

“As far as our guys go, we did what we could to score on them. I think we’re playing better and moving in the right direction by going out there and just playing each week. We’ll keep coaching them up and be bigger, stronger and faster next year.”

Mazzon has repeatedly said throughout the fall that his team has players making the right play at times, but not enough of them as his Miners still make too many mistakes out on the field.

Negaunee’s Jason Waterman led all rushers with 104 yards on just three carries and Peyton Anderson had five attempts for 99 yards.

Former Wakefield standout and Upper Peninsula Hall of Fame football coach Dick Koski, who coached football at Negaunee for several decades, presented the new trophy in his name to the winning team at the conclusion of the game. The two teams will play for the trophy each year.

The Miners (0-7) travel to Westwood for another tough conference game on Friday.

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