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Maroons Slip Past Eskymos In Battle Of Unbeatens
 ESCANABA---It's been a long time since the Escanaba Eskymos beat the Menominee Maroons in football. That wait is going to go at least one more year after the Maroons pulled out a 28-14 win over the Eskymos Friday night. Both teams entered the game with perfect 5-0 records. The Maroons jumped in front, 6-0, when Marcus McKinney picked off a Justin Popelka pass deep in Eskymo territory. Keifer Rasner scored the short touchdown to give Menominee the lead. The Eskymos battled back from that adversity as C.J. Barron took a punt and returned it to the Menominee 12 yard-line. Popelka found Tyler Willette for the touchdown pass. The extra point kick gave Escanaba a 7-6 lead entering the second quarter. In that second quarter, the Maroons took the lead on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Mileski to Levi Kepka, making it a 12-7 game. The Eskymos came back again, however, as Cody Vandermissen rolled his way into the end zone. The PAT kick made it 14-12 Eskymos. Menominee, however, scored late in the second quarter to go ahead, 20-14, and that's the way it stayed until midway through the fourth quarter. The Eskymos tried to drive for the go-ahead touchdown. But then, controversy. Popelka hit Willette with a pass over the middle. He was hit by Rasner and the ball was jarred free. Sam Larson scooped up the ball and returned it all the way for the touchdown. Instead of being ruled an incomplete pass, it was ruled a catch and fumble, and a Menominee touchdown. That play sealed the game for the Maroons, who clinch another state playoff spot with a 6-0 record. The Eskymos (5-1) travel to Gladstone next Friday for a rivalry game against the 3-3 Braves. The game will be broadcast live on WGKL-FM (105.5) and WCHT-AM (600). Click the thumbnails above o see photos taken by Susie Larson.  |
