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Negaunee shuts down Braves’ running game

By JOHN VRANCIC

Escanaba Daily Press

GLADSTONE – The Gladstone Braves experienced a great deal of difficulty moving the football on the ground Friday night, dropping a 41-17 decision to Negaunee.

Gladstone rushed for just 19 yards in this nonconference match-up, including 17 in the second half.

“We knew it would come down to our defensive line,” Negaunee coach Paul Jacobson said. “We knew they had some good athletes and wanted to make them beat us passing the ball.

“We kept talking about carrying out our assignments and doing our best.”

The Braves had some success passing the ball as Ben Schwalbach hit 8 of 18 aerials for 171 yards and two touchdowns. The Miners, however, made three interceptions.

Schwalbach completed three passes during Gladstone’s second possession, setting up a 27-yard field goal by senior James Bruce to pull the Braves within 7-3 with 45 seconds left in the first quarter.

“James as a punter and kicker is a weapon for us,” Braves coach Jeff Hansen said. “He gives us good field position.”

Negaunee (3-0) responded quickly, however, gaining a 14-3 cushion on a 30-yard spiral through the middle from Brock Aho to Dylan Tasson just six seconds into the second stanza.

Neal Violetta added a pair of TDs for Negaunee in the final 3:21 before halftime, slicing through the middle on a 15-yard score and breaking off right tackle on a seven-yard jaunt and a 27-3 halftime advantage.

The Miners continued to roll in the third quarter, raising the count to 34-3 on George Johnson’s 12-yard dash off left tackle. Johnson then scored on an eight-yard pass from Aho for a 41-3 advantage with 74 seconds remaining in the third.

Schwalbach connnected with senior split end Jake Greenfield for 32- and 35-yard TD passes in the fourth, but it wasn’t nearly enough.

“We knew passing was going to be the key to success for us rather than trying to run through their big line,” Hansen said. “We were pleased with the effort, only we didn’t execute as well as we needed. Our inability to get off the field on third down hurt us. Negaunee has big, strong kids. They just have a great program.”

After the Braves went three-and-out on their opening possession, Negaunee marched 70 yards in 11 plays for its first score.

Aho helped climax that drive on a pitch to Jeffrey Matthews who dashed 13 yards on the option for a 7-0 lead with 4:37 remaining in the opening frame.

Negaunee finished with 414 yards in total offense, including 299 on the ground. Johnson carried 18 times for 96 and Aho was 7-of-9 passing for 112 yards, two TDs and an interception.

“They (Gladstone) did a good job packing the box,” Jacobson said. “We just did a good job running hard and creating some seams. Both teams were athletic tonight.

“I think this gives us a little momentum and confidence going into our (Mid-Peninsula) conference games.”

Negaunee hosts Iron Mountain in a key M-PC matchup Friday. The Braves host Menominee in a Great Northern Conference game Friday.

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