HILLMAN-Dylan Steinke scored on a 55-yard kickoff return and the Hillman football team made a solid defensive stand to survive and win a 46-39 shootout with Oscoda on Friday during homecoming.

Travis Fessler intercepted Oscoda quarterback Jacob Malak with less than 30 seconds to play and the Tigers were able to take a knee to preserve the win.

With the victory, Hillman (6-1) clinched a playoff spot for the 10th year in a row.

Billy Kolcan had 206 yards rushing on 10 carries and scored three times for Hillman. Caine Hunt had 58 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown.

On defense, Brent Kenyon had an interception along with Fessler.

Oscoda (4-3) scored with eight minutes left to take a 39-38 lead, but the Owls couldn’t hold it and Steinke eventually scored the game-winning touchdown.

It soured an otherwise solid night for Malak, who finished with 355 yards on 25 carries and four touchdowns. He added 104 yards passing and a touchdown.

Hillman got off to a fast start, taking a 30-12 lead after one quarter and a 38-19 lead at halftime.

Oscoda battled back in the third quarter, outscoring the Tigers 14-0 to come within five points of the lead headed into the fourth quarter.

“We were a Jekyl and Hyde team. We came out in the first half and were absolutely miserable on defense,” Oscoda coach Dave LeVasseur said. “In the second half, we came out as a different team. We made a few minor adjustments, but the kids decided to show up.”

Jacob Pike had an 18-yard touchdown catch for the Owls and Hunter Huckabey had 50 rushing yards and a score. David Alexander added 47 yards rushing.

Taylor Johnson was 3-for-4 on extra points for the Owls.

On defense, Devin Socha led Oscoda with 10 tackles, Antonio Raona added eight and Harry Samotis and Michael Dixon each added six.

Joburg 48, Alcona 22

JOHANNESBURG-The Johannesburg-Lewiston football team got the better of Alcona on Friday, defeating the Tigers 48-22.

Brock Franklin led Alcona (5-2) with 146 rushing yards and a touchdown and Tim Hutchinson added 106 and two scores.

Defensively, Devon Mills led Alcona with nine tackles and Dresden Parkinson and Noah Kenworthy each added eight.

The Tigers will travel to Lake City on Friday.