“This was a fun game,” said Calumet coach Josh Frantti, who was head coach of Team Royal. “I think the guys did an awesome job putting it all together today and making friends during the week.

“They all did a great job on both sides of the ball. As a coach, you never know what you’re going to get with 40 new guys, but you get to build the relationships.”

Team Royal, which led 14-6 at halftime, scored all the points it needed in the first seven minutes of the third quarter in Northern Michigan University’s dome.

Menominee’s Tanner Theuerkauf tossed a 14-yard touchdown pass to Norway’s Owen Baij, Team Royal’s Most Valuable Offensive Player, for a 21-6 cushion early in the third quarter.

Team Royal players, coaches and ball boys pose with their trophy after defeating Team White 28-19 at the 18th annual Upper Peninsula Football All-Star Game played at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Saturday. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

NMU recruit Theuerkauf then scored on a 13-yard run up the middle for a 28-6 advantage with 8:36 remaining in the third.

“It’s just fun to be part of this game,” Theuerkauf said. “We love to compete. The first few days it was hard running a new offense, but once I caught on it was easy from there.”

Team White reduced its deficit to 28-12 on a 47-yard dash by its Most Valuable Defensive Player, Baraga’s Daniel Connor Jr., with 2:48 left in the third. Connor played for L’Anse on his school’s cooperative team

Then with 4:34 left in the contest, Menominee’s Dawson Bardowski threw a 28-yard aerial to Ironwood’s Nick Miskovich on the left side to bring Team White within its final nine-point margin.

Escanaba coach Bailey Lamb, who headed up Team White, was pleased with his team’s overall effort.

Menominee quarterback Tanner Theuerkauf, second from right, throws a pass for Team Royal while protected by blockers, from left, Bjorn Anderson of Marquette, Broc Bonovetz of Negaunee and Trent Kannich of Forest Park, during the 18th annual Upper Peninsula Football All-Star Game played at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Saturday. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

“Our defense played well,” he said. “The guys were flying around out there. The kids got a lot out of it. They were awesome. It was a lot of fun.”

Team Royal got on the board first on Theuerkauf’s 17-yard aerial to Baij with 3:11 left in the opening frame.

“This was a great experience,” Theuerkauf said. “Playing 15-minute quarters felt kind of weird (compared to 12 minutes in high school), although it wasn’t really that big an adjustment.

“When they made their run, I trusted in our defense and they all did their job. This is one of the most fun games I’ve played in.”

White got within 7-6 just six seconds into the second quarter when Newberry’s Garrett Lewicki ran up the middle for a score.

From left, Menominee’s Landen Daigneau and Westwood’s Louis Salmi of Team Royal tackle Menominee’s Clayton Miller of Team White during the 18th annual Upper Peninsula Football All-Star Game played at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Saturday. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

Team Royal answered little more than two minutes later, extending its lead to 14-6 on a 62-yard burst up the middle by Houghton’s Brayden Goudge.

Royal appeared ready to extend its lead eight seconds before halftime when it reached White’s 30-yard line on Theuerkauf’s 40-yard aerial to Menominee’s Nathan Komp.

Theuerkauf’s pass intended for Komp fell incomplete on the next play as Team Royal headed into the halftime locker room still with an eight-point cushion.

A noteworthy event took place three days earlier during Wednesday’s skills competition when Rudyard’s Steven Kirschner booted a 50-yard field goal.

“I didn’t think I had that in me, but once the ball got in the air I knew it was good,” he said. “All the guys were cheering me on which got me hyped up.”