RIVALRY VICTORY: Eskymos Oulast Braves 28-15

GLADSTONE---Craig Kamin tossed a pair of touchdown passes to Jared Nash, and Isaac Cooper scored a fourth quarter touchdown to lead the Escanaba Eskymos to a 28-15 win over the Gladstone Braves Friday night in Gladstone.

The Eskymos beat the Braves for the eighth straight season.

Gladstone got off to a good start as Jared Crow hit Cooper Cavadeas with a 70-yard pass deep into Eskymo territory. Brody Sanville plunged in from one yard out to give the Braves the lead, although the extra point was blocked after a high snap.

Escanaba responded with a 75-yard touchdown run by Josh Bruntjens, and the extra point kick by Ethan Silverstone gave the Eskymos a 7-6 lead.

The Eskymos expanded their lead when Kamin threw his first touchdown pass to Nash, a 23-yard strike, and Silverstone's kick made it 14-6.

Gladstone answered with a quick drive of its own, with Vince Hughes grabbing the touchdown pass from Crow, coming back toward Crow to make the reception in the end zone. A high snap on the extra point ended in an unsuccessful two-point play. It was 14-12 at halftime.

The Eskymos built on their lead after Kamin found Nash again, this time for a 35-yard touchdown. Silverstone's kick made it 21-12, and a two-possession game.

The Braves had another nice drive into the Eskymo red zone, but couldn't convert inside the five yard-line. C.J. Charlebois' 23-yard field goal brought Gladstone to within 21-15.

The dagger came midway through the fourth quarter when Isaac Cooper broke loose for a 40-yard touchdown. Silverstone completed a 4-for-4 night with PAT kicks, and the Eskymos had a much-needed win in the push for a playoff spot.

Crow completed 16 of the 34 passes he threw, with Cavadeas and Hughes both making six catches and crossing the 100-yard plateau.

Bruntjens keyed the Eskymo offense with 169 yards on the ground, and the offensive line made the key blocks up front. Kamin threw for 177 yards and those two touchdowns.

Escanaba (5-2) has two tough games remaining: at Traverse City Central next Friday, and at home against Kingsford the following Friday night.

Gladstone (3-4) now must become road warriors, and pick up wins at Marquette next week and at Lake Linden-Hubbell the following week to have a shot at the playoffs.

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