News Photo by James Andersen Alpena’s Joe Williams, center, is mobbed by teammates including Abe Brege (15) and Andrew Dargis after scoring a game-winning goal on Saturday at Park Family Field at Wildcat Stadium. Williams’ goal came with 29 seconds left and gave Alpena a 2-1 win over Cheboygan.

Two of three ain’t bad.

The Alpena High boys soccer team took runner-up honors at its home Huron Shores Invitational on Saturday, losing in the championship game 5-0 to Traverse City Christian.

Alpena (7-5-1) had beaten Cheboygan (2-1) and Tawas (5-0) earlier in the day.

Matt Diamond and Mason Bray shared the shutout against the Braves and the Wildcats got goals from Mike Clark, Brett Namojwicz, Jacob Beaubien, Austin Townsend, and Caleb Worm.

Clark, who had two goals and two assists on the day, Joe Williams and Jack Cook, were selected to the all-tournament team.

“Another learning experience for our seven sophomores (we regularly start six of them) who continue to grow into varsity players,” Alpena coach Tim Storch said.

Williams had arguably the play of the day, scoring on a header with 29.2 seconds left to give Alpena the edge over Cheboygan.

The Chiefs broke a scoreless tie early in the second half, but Alpena responded quickly when Clark beat Cheboygan’s keeper to a ball and scored to tie the game.

Both teams had a few chances to get the go-ahead goal before Williams’ game-winner.

Alpena has a busy week ahead with home contests against Traverse City West and Traverse City Central. The Wildcats host the Titans on Tuesday and the Trojans on Thursday.

FOOTBALL

Rogers City 24, Alcona 18

ROGERS CITY–The Rogers City football team had quite the ending to its season opener.

The Hurons rallied from an 18-6 halftime deficit, which culminated in a 21-yard touch pass from Isaac Hein to Matt Newhouse as time expired, allowing the Hurons to beat Alcona 24-18 on Friday.

The Hurons got to work in the second half, getting the deficit to six with 7:54 left in the third quarter when Hein scored on a two-yard run.

Alcona held the lead until late in the fourth quarter when Dillon Cook found pay dirt from 16 yards out. That score tied the game at 18 with 4:54 left.

That set the stage for Hein’s pass to Newhouse in the back of the end zone for the win.

“It was a roller coaster for sure, one I won’t forget for a long time,” Rogers City coach Jesse Fenstermaker said. “Being back on the field and the way the game ended, it felt like a sports movie.”

Hein was 9-for-16 passing for the game with 128 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 75 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

Cook had 27 yards and a touchdown on the ground and caught three balls for 36 yards and a touchdown. Newhouse had four catches for 59 yards and a score.

Alcona held all the momentum in the first half, building a two-score lead by halftime. Quarterback Gavin Walker found Chris Barnes for a 37-yard score in the first quarter and a 6-0 lead.

Hein found Cook for a 12-yard score to tie the game early in the second quarter, but Alcona took the lead back when Jakob Sytek returned the ensuing kickoff 76 yards to the end zone. The Tigers later recovered an onside kick and Walker scored a 42-yard keeper to put Alcona up 18-6.

Zach Stephenson added 80 yards on 20 carries and had 11 tackles on defense for Alcona.

Clayton Henry carried the ball nine times for 46 yards for the Hurons and had one catch for four yards. Zach Orr had one catch for 28 yards.Alcona hosts Marlette on Friday while Rogers City plays at Oscoda.

Posen 52, Mio 22

POSEN–The Posen football team ran circles around Mio’s defense on Friday, defeating the Thunderbolts 52-22 at home in their season opener.

Three different Posen players had at least 125 yards rushing.

Chase Dubie had 151 yards on 14 carries for the Vikings and three scores. He also contributed nine tackles on defense.

Lucas Stone added 137 yards on seven carries; four catches for 86 yards and a touchdown; and led Posen’s defense with 12 tackles.

AJ Brunet had 125 yards and a touchdown on six carries for the Vikings and caught three passes for 29 yards and a touchdown.

Posen plays at Au Gres on Friday.

VOLLEYBALL

Hillman 3, Fairview 1

HILLMAN–The Hillman volleyball team earned a win on the road Thursday, defeating Fairview in four sets in a North Star League match.

Hillman won 25-19, 15-25, 25-17 and 25-16.

Julia Taratuta had 13 aces and 14 digs for Hillman; Regina Morrison had three digs and three kills; Melanie Morrison had four kills, 14 digs and six aces; Emma Libby had 13 assists, eight digs and two aces; and Angelina Hunt had five digs, four digs and three aces.