By ADAM NIEMI

Iron Mountain Daily News

IRON MOUNTAIN – Sometimes a game’s key play happens in the first half.

Iron Mountain (3-2, 2-2 Mid-Peninsula Conference) football coach Robin Marttila said one of the key plays of Iron Mountain’s 28-0 homecoming win against Westwood was a late second-quarter play.

Westwood’s Luke Gray took the handoff on a 63-yard off-tackle run to the left side and was tackled by Luke Truscott from behind within five yards of the end zone.

Although the Mountaineers were ahead 14-0 at the time, Marttila said it was a key play that stifled the Patriots’ chance of getting momentum at the half.

“That’s a huge play – a huge momentum shift. Then Aaron Bolo made the interception. That’s a huge play for us.”

The Mountaineers offense started slow, getting the ball around midfield its first three possessions and failing to score.

Aaron Bolo replaced Tanner Huotari at quarterback. Huotari’s foot was injured last week against Negaunee. Marttila said Bolo played well.

Bolo threw 11 for 16 for 243 yards, the highest for Iron Mountain this season.

“He’s capable of doing that, like I said he’s a good football player,” Marttila said.

Carson Wonders caught a 16-yard touchdown pass with 3:12 remaining in the third quarter. It was Bolo’s only touchdown throw.

The Patriots (2-3, 0-2 MPC) mustered 129 rushing yards, Luke Gray with 124. Westwood also had six passing yards.

Westwood coach Scott Syrjala said despite the team’s offensive struggles – the Patriots gained only five first downs – he said the team carried a good attitude throughout.

“We were a pretty scrappy bunch tonight. You can’t take that away from our kids, being down 21-0,” Syrjala said.

Syrjala said the players have done well to run their third offense in the last three years with coaching staff changes.

“I told them I’m proud of them for playing hard,” Syrjala said. “We’re giving it our all. We’re not the most talented or the speediest, but they play hard. We let our emotion get the best of us. But the mistakes – I couldn’t believe how many mistakes we were making.”