ROGERS CITY–The Rogers City football team started the 2018 season off on a winning note.

Kaleb Budnick and Jeffrey Ellenberger each had a touchdown run and the Hurons held off a spirited comeback effort from Whittemore-Prescott to defeat the Cardinals 20-17 on Friday at Gilpin Field in Rogers City.

Caleb Bade added a touchdown pass to Ethan Hincka and the Hurons won their opener for the first time in three years.

Whittemore scored twice in the final 11 minutes on a pair of touchdown runs by Ridge Schuette, but the Hurons held on for the win, giving new coach Jesse Fenstermaker a winner in his varsity coaching debut.

“I think we played extremely well. We executed on both sides of the ball and defensively, we bent but we didn’t break,” Fenstermaker said. “Whittemore definitely played a good game; very competitive and clean.

An 11-yard touchdown run by Ellenberger late in the third quarter gave Rogers City a 20-3 lead, but the Cardinals did all they could to rally. Schuette scored on a five-yard run with 10:54 left, but the conversion missed. Schuette found paydirt again with 59 seconds left and a conversion made it 20-17.

Rogers City recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt and held on for the win.

The Hurons led 14-3 at halftime after a 20-yard touchdown run by Budnick late in the first quarter and and a Bade to Hincka 30-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter.

“This is a great building block to gain confidence,” Fenstermaker said. “Coming out and winning is a confidence booster for me and the boys.”

Charlton Heston 38, Atlanta 20

ST HELEN–The Atlanta football team came out on the wrong end of a shootout against Charlton Heston on Friday, losing 38-20.

Aaron Cuzzort had three touchdowns for the Huskies and Dawson Currie had one conversion.

Atlanta will play at Hillman next week before returning home to host Charlton Heston.