Grand Rapids CC Ends Eskymo Dream Season, 24-0

TRAVERSE CITY---In the end, the "MoTrain" came up one stop short of making it to the Motor City.

The Escanaba High School football team's dramatic post-season run came to an end on Saturday as the Eskymos fell to defending Division Four state champion Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 24-0, in the state semifinals at Traverse City's Thirlby Field.

Escanaba was able to muster just four first downs in the game, and did not penatrate Catholic Central territory until the final minute of the game. The Eskymo defense held the team in the game for most of the first half, but the talented Cougars offense eventually took control of the clock and wore down that Escanaba defense.

"They pushed us around," Escanaba Head Coach Dave Howes said. "It's just one of those things where we ran into a better team. Our kids gave great effort. I'm very proud of them. The seniors, you know, gave a lot to the program. It was a good run."

And a historic run, as well, as Escanaba made its first Final Four appearance since 1981.

"It's been a great season," senior lineman Johnny Schlenvogt said. "Things could have gone differently in a couple of games, but that's just brought us to where we are now. This team has been great, and I don't think there's anything I'd change about them."

"It was a great experience," senior tailback Logan Carroll said. "Catholic Central is a phenominal team. It sucks, but it's great to know that we made history."

"It was a hell of a ride ," senior running back Scout Wunder said. "I mean, we tried our best and just couldn't come out on top. They're a great team. They've got good speed, they fly to the ball every time. They like winning."

The Eskymos were able to hold the Cougars, and talented running back Nolan Fugate, to a field goal on their first possession.

Then on the second possession, a receiver slipped on the soggy Thirlby Field turf, leading to a Ryan Robinette interception. But other than a first down on a Cody Vandermissen run, the Eskymos could do nothing on offense.

With five minutes left in the half, however, it was still a 3-0 game.

The Cougars scored two touchdowns in a span of just over two minutes, however, to take command. Fugate scored from two yards out to make it 10-0, then disaster struck for Escanaba as quarterback Craig Kamin fumbled at his own eight yard line.

Three plays later, Fugate was in the end zone again, and it was a 17-0 game.

Escanaba got its second first down of the game in the third quarter on a Kamin-to-Scout Wunder 17-yard pass, but could not keep possession very much longer.

Fugate's third touchdown run of the game in the fourth quarter put the game away.

The Eskymos got their biggest play of the game with the reserves on the field in the final minute of the fourth quarter as Nick Onate broke away for a 61-yard run inside the Cougar ten yard line. But Escanaba could not score as time expired.

"The last three years, we've gotten a step closer, a step closer,"" Howes said. "This year, we made it to the semifinals. Just proud of the kids. There's a lot of tears, a lot of emotions right now. But they deserve it. It's good for the seniors."

Escanaba finishes the season with a 9-3 record.

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