PETOSKEY — Entering Friday’s Week 8 Big North Conference showdown against Petoskey, the Alpena High football team needed a victory to keep its playoff hopes alive and the Wildcats did what they needed to do as Alpena earned its third BNC win of the year and fourth overall as they defeated the Northmen 18-15, snapping a 12 year losing streak against Petoskey in the process.

Alpena got off to a sluggish start in the first half and trailed 7-0.

The third quarter proved to be the difference as the Wildcats scoring twice in the quarter, took the lead and eventually held on.

The scoring started in a huge way as Jordan Schultz raced in for a 78 yard touchdown to bring the Wildcats within a point as they trailed 7-6 early in the quarter.

Alpena added its final score of the quarter to take the lead with 36 seconds left as quarterback Ryan Voltz connected with Eli Winter on a crossing pattern on fourth and goal from the 15 yard line and Alpena took a 12-6 lead after three quarters.

The Wildcats pulled out every trick that they had in order to earn the win they desperately needed as Alpena executed a half back pass as Winter hit receiver Kelley Stark to move the ball down to the Petoskey three yard line.

Moments later, Winter capped off the drive with a two yard plunge for a score to put Alpena up 18-6 with 8:52 left to play.

The Northmen quickly responded finding the end zone and cutting the lead to 18-15 with 5:22 remaining.

Alpena iced the game with a gutsy play call and effort as the Wildcats faced a fourth down and three at the Petoskey 41 yard line. Instead of punting the ball away, the Alpena left the Northmen no chance as Winter picked up the first down and the Wildcats got into victory formation and moved to 4-4 on the year.

With the win, not only does Alpena keep its playoff hopes alive, but the Wildcats finish with a winning record in the BNC for the first time since 2004.

Alpena will play in arguable its most anticipated and biggest game in program history when they wrap up regular season play in Week 9 at home against St. Johns.

Everything will be on the line for the Wildcats as it will be a true “win and you’re in” scenario next week at Park Family Field at Wildcat Stadium.

Alcona 44,

Coleman 6

COLEMAN — The Alcona football team was victorious on Friday as the Tigers took care of Coleman, winning by a final score of 44-6.

Alcona was led by senior running back Mason Clark and Dominic Howe. Clark rushed for 169 yards on 14 carries and scored three touchdowns, while How added 91 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Michael Basner found the end zone as well.

The Alcona defense picked up the intensity tonight and caused turnovers and turned them into points.

Defensively, Logan Witham and Jakob Tanner paced the Tigers.

Witham finished with 11 tackles and an interception and Tanner added 10 tackles and scooped up a fumble and took it 50 yards for a score.

The Tigers finish the regular season next Friday when they host Roscommon.

Rogers City 24,

St. Ignace 8

ROGERS CITY — On a night where Gilpin Memorial Field celebrated its 80th birthday, the Rogers City football team presented its hometown with a win on Senior Night.

The first ever football game was played on Gilpin Field 80 years ago on Friday and the result was a Rogers City victory over St. Ignace.

80 years later at Gilpin Field, the result was the same as the Hurons defeated St. Ignace, this time winning by a score of 24-8.

Rogers City had everything clicking as they were able to find success moving the ball through the air and shut down the Saints’ rushing attack and it all led a victory for the Hurons on Senior Night in their final home game of the 2019 season.

Isaac Hein put together a big night for the Hurons as he was responsible for the first two touchdowns of the game as Hein threw a 24 strike to J.D. Ellenberger for a touchdown early in the second quarter and late in the quarter Hein found pay dirt from five yards out using his legs as Rogers City held a 12-0 halftime lead.

St. Ignace cut the lead to 12-8 midway through the third quarter, but it was the Saints only score of the night as the Hurons played strong defensively.

Leading 12-8 heading into the fourth quarter, the Hurons added a pair of scores to put the game away as Hein connected with Ellenberger again, this time for a 35 yard touchdown and Zeb Grzesikowski capped the scoring with a three yard touchdown run with 17 seconds left.

GIRLS GOLF

Ellis shoots 94 at state finals

EAST LANSING–Alpena junior Kennedy Ellis opened tournament play at the Division 2 state finals by firing a 94 during round one at Forest Akers East on Friday.

Ellis’ round puts her in a tie for 40th place.

South Lyon’s Gabriella Tapp leads the field after shooting a 75 on Friday.

Players will finish up today with the second round of play.