ESCANABA — Alpena’s JV Football team moved to 4-4 on the season with a hard-fought victory over Escanaba by a score of 38-25 on Friday, Oct. 15.

After a slow start, a 1-yard scoop and score from linebacker Kaleb Donajkowski and a 9-yard touchdown scramble by quarterback Jonathon Rensberry helped pull the Wildcats within 5 as they entered the half down 19-14.

Donajkowski led the second-half comeback charge, firing out of the gates to block a third quarter Eskymo punt. Capitalizing on excellent field position, Rensberry connected with receiver Easton Srebnik for a 12-yard touchdown to take the lead just moments later. Rensberry called his own number on the two-point conversion to make it 22-19 Alpena.

While Escanaba managed to score once more to regain the lead at 25-22, the Wildcats pulled away in the fourth quarter to take home the win. Running back Elyja Chism found paydirt on a 5-yard touchdown strike early in the fourth quarter, and Hunter Cohoon added the two-point conversion. Then, with just under two minutes remaining, a huge 27-yard pick-six from Srebnik sealed the Alpena victory.

Chism and Cohoon led the ground attack for the Wildcats as the backs finished with 52 yards apiece, and Srebnik added four catches for 55 yards through the air. Linebackers Joe Sheridan and Cohoon complimented Donajkowski’s superb defensive effort, ending the contest with team-leading totals of 6.5 and five tackles, respectively.

The JV Football team looks to battle to a winning record as they take on St. Johns in its season finale this Friday. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at Park Family Field at Wildcat Stadium.