Braves Season Ends As Copper Kings Make Playoffs

GLADSTONE----The Calumet Copper Kings dominated on both sides of the football Thursday night and earned themselves a spot in the state playoffs by posting a 36-12 win over the Gladstone Braves at the Marble Athletic Field.

Calumet rolled up 386 yards on the ground while limiting the Braves to just 22 rushing yards on defense. Clark Kangas scored four touchdowns on 133 yards rushing, while teammate Tyler Roland carried 18 times for 133 yards of his own...and one touchdown.

Braves seniors do the pre-game coin toss.

"It was an emotional night," Gladstone Coach Josh Mileski said. "I just can't say 'thanks' enough to the kids for putting in the time and effort for us all year."

The Braves were limited to a passing game as the team managed just 22 rushing yards on 22 carries, with Justin Jurek getting 14 yards on nine carries and a touchdown.

"Defensively, stragically, it was the best we faced all year," Mileski said. "They (Calumet) really had a nice game plan. They're tough kids, they're well-coached."

Gladstone's passing game clicked at times, as Sam Pouliot threw for 227 yards while completing 10 of 21 passes. His 39-yard touchdown pass to Blake Ballard in the third quarter put the Braves on the scoreboard, but Calumet already led, 22-0, at the time.

Sam Pouliot to Blake Ballard TD pass.

Jurek's one-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter was Gladstone's only other score. The Braves finished the season with a 2-7 record, after starting the year 2-0.

"Wins and losses aside, I am proud of these kids," Mileski said. "The amount of time and energy they put into this season was incredible. They put up with criticism from their peers when they're not winning games. But a lot of times, it gets lost in the mix that the kids sacrafice a lot of time, like in the summer, when their peers are having fun."

Calumet lost its first three games of the season to tough opponents: Ishpeming, Negaunee and Northland Pines (Wis.).

But now the Copper Kings have won six straight, and are playoff-bound.

Gladstone''s Joey Godfrey (15) tries, but he can't catch Calumet's Clark Kangas (42)

"We played a tough schedule, and we lost two in the last minute of the game," Calumet Coach John Croze said. "That certainly helped us to sharpen our teeth and get ready for the rest of our conference schedule. We had to step up early.

"We came into the season without a lot of experience back from last season," Croze continued. "We've played good football and we've gotten better as the year has gone on. This is my 21st year of coaching in Calumet, and it is probably the best 'team' effort I've ever had. That's what we hang out hat on. Playing with intensity."

For the Braves, it was the end of the line for nine seniors: Blake Ballard, Austin Cossette, Joey Godfrey, Justin Pederson, Chuck Hughes, Nate Bellville, Steve Strom, and Luke LaCosse.

Braves senior Jared Vuksan couldn't play because of that broken leg.

JV's WIN---The Gladstone JV Braves beat Calumet earlier in the day, 18-8, to finish the season with a 4-5 record. The picture below is from the JV's postgame celebration.

Click the thumbnails in the "ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS" box to see videos and pictures from the games. Thanks to Ron Jurek for all of the help!

The Junior Varsity Braves celebrate their victory over Calumet Thursday night. (Ron Jurek photo)

Date	Time	Opponent	Score	Record

8/24	7:00 PM	Gwinn Model Towners	49 - 12 (W)	1-0

8/31	7:00 PM	at Bark River-Harris Broncos	34 - 6 (W)	2-0

9/7	7:30 PM	at Negaunee Miners	34 - 36 (L)	2-1

9/14	8:00 PM	at Menominee Maroons	6 - 47 (L)	2-2

9/21	7:00 PM	Marquette Redmen	14 - 35 (L)	2-3

9/28	7:00 PM	at Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils	19 - 49 (L)	2-4

10/5	7:00 PM	Escanaba Eskymos	25 - 37 (L)	2-5

10/12	7:30 PM	at Kingsford Flivvers	28 - 49 (L)	2-6

10/18	7:00 PM	Calumet Copper Kings	12 - 36 (L)	2-7