Eskymos Compete Well; Fall At Detroit Country Day

BEVERLY HILLS, Mich.---The Escanaba Eskymos aren't afraid to play anybody.

The team proved that again on Saturday with an eight-hour trip to face one of the best athetic programs in the state: Detroit Country Day. The Eskymos competed well throughout the day, especially on defense, but lost to the YellowJackets, 28-12.

While other teams find weaker schools from Lower Michigan, Canada or Wisconsin to fill their schedules, Eskymo Coach Jim Hansen wouldn't change his tough schedule.

"We like competition," Hansen said. "We like our schedule to be tough, which prepares us for our conference, which is always very tough. We want to play Alpena. We want to play Traverse City Central. We want to play Detroit Country Day. Those are bigger schools, or perinnial power schools. We like the competition."

On Saturday, Country Day scored one touchdown in each of the four quarters as the Eskymo defense made enough big plays to keep the game within reach. But the Eskymo offense could do nothing in the first half, even after forcing a fumble early in the game.

The Yellowjackets (3-2) led, 14-0, at halftime. The Eskymos got a spark in the third quarter when Corey McInerney busted free for a 40-yard touchdown run.

That cut the lead to 14-6, but Country Day returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards to set up a short TD play.

Escanaba's final touchdown came on a one-yard run by quarterback Logan Lamb with 1:50 left in the game. That was set up by a 22-yard pass to Hunter Viau.

Saturday's game was played under bright, sunny skies, on artifical turf, in the Detroit suburb of Beverly Hills.

Escanaba fell to 1-4 on the season, and the Eskymos have another tough game next Friday night. Escanaba will host undefeated Menominee for Eskymo Homecoming.

In the junior varsity game on Saturday, Escanaba beat Country Day, 31-14.

The scoreboard shows good news for the Eskymo JV team on Saturday vs Country Day. (Anne Truitt)

Date	Time	Opponent	Score	Record

8/28	8:00 PM	at Alpena Wildcats	24 - 18 (W)	1-0

9/5	7:00 PM	Traverse City Central Trojans	14 - 50 (L)	1-1

9/12	7:00 PM	Cheboygan Chiefs	12 - 13 (L)	1-2

9/19	7:00 PM	at Marquette Redmen	22 - 24 (L)	1-3

9/27	1:00 PM	at Detroit Country Day	12 - 28 (L)	1-4

10/3	7:00 PM	Menominee Maroons	13 - 49 (L)	1-5

10/10	7:00 PM	at Gladstone Braves	41 - 14 (W)	2-5

10/17	7:00 PM	at Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils	12 - 13 (L)	2-6

10/24	7:00 PM	Kingsford Flivvers	26 - 7 (W)	3-6