Szymoniak, Alpena defense lift Wildcats past Boyne City
Trending
BOYNE CITY - Andrew Szymoniak ran for 169 yards and accounted for four touchdowns Friday night, and Alpena's defense produced the turnovers that flipped a one-score game into a 27-8 nonconference victory over Boyne City.
The Wildcats used an 11-play, 62-yard drive to start the game. Andrew Szymoniak, a senior halfback, finished it with a 21-yard run with a little more than six minutes into the first quarter. The extra-point attempt failed, and Alpena led 6-0. Boyne City did not score before halftime and the same 6-0 margin stood as the two teams went into the locker room at halftime.
The Ramblers took the second-half kickoff and immediately drove down the field to take the lead. Tanner Kelley scored on a 14-yard run with 9:12 remaining in the third quarter, and Boyne City converted the two-point try for an 8-6 lead.
It would be the last time Boyne City would have the upperhand in the Wildcats.
Alpena was forced to punt on the ensuing series and Cash Moughon's kick pinned the Ramblers at their own 13-yard line.
Boyne City fumbled two plays later, and Alpena linebacker Xavier Szymoniak recovered the ball at the 11-yard line, which set up a short field for the Wildcats.
Andrew Szymoniak gained 10 yards on first down, setting up first-and-goal. He scored on a 1-yard plunge with 5:37 left in the third quarter. Eion Eades kicked the extra point, and Alpena regained the lead 13-8.
Boyne City moved the ball on the next possession before penalties stalled the drive. Facing fourth down again at Alpena's 24 yard line, the Ramblers ballcarrier was stopped in the backfield by Brody Misiak. The Wildcats took over with 49.7 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Neither team scored again before the third quarter expired, and Alpena carried a 13-8 lead into the final frame.
The Wildcats extended the advantage after converting 4th-and-1 on a quarterback sneak. On the next snap, Andrew Szymoniak broke a 21-yard touchdown run. He also ran in the two-point conversion, making it 21-8 with 7:52 left in the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats' defense forced a turnover on downs in Boyne City territory with about six minutes remaining in the contest, which pretty much iced the game.
Alpena took over possession near midfield and on 3rd-and-12 from the Ramblers' 45, Szymoniak broke free and took it to the house for his fourth touchdown of the night. The extra-point attempt failed, leaving the score 27-8 with just over five minutes to play.
Wildcats' cornerback Conner Kauffman intercepted a pass with 3:07 remaining. Alpena would control the ball for the remainder of the game and ran out the clock, securing an opening night victory on the road.
Alpena improved to 1-0. The Wildcats play next on Thursday at Cadillac. Boyne City fell to 0-1 and will host Charlevoix on Friday.