Negaunee, MI – September 16, 2022 – The Negaunee Miners looked to keep their undefeated streak alive on Friday night. They played host to the Manistique Emeralds for parents night at Miner Stadium. Friday’s game was broadcast live on Sunny 101.9 and Sunny.fm!
First Half: Manistique received the opening kick off to start things off at Miners Stadium. They went to the ground game in their opening series. The rainy weather made it difficult to find offensive footing, and the Emeralds went three and out to start. Negaunee then took over for their first drive of the evening. With carries from Nico Lukkarinen, the Miners found themselves in four down territory. Negaunee found paydirt from 26 yards out when Easton Palomaki crossed the goal for the early score. The PAT was successful to put the Miners up 7-0.
The Emeralds worked hard to find some sort of offensive rhythm. Manistique moved the chains with a 20 yard pass completion . The Negaunee Miner defense buckled down and forced an interception by Palomaki on fourth down. The Miners started their second drive in Emerald territory with a touchdown. Phillip Nelson reeled in the pass in triple coverage to tack on to the Miner’s lead, the PAT was good making it 14-0.
Manistique would continue to struggle early with short gains on the ground and the air. The Negaunee defense would suffocate any would be inside runner at the line of scrimmage. The quarterback Wyatt Demers was able to roll out and gain some yardage and move the chains for the Emeralds. Negaunee’s defense would hold tough on a fourth and one by stuffing the runner behind the line of scrimmage for a turnover on downs.
The Miners took back over on offense and their front five opened up the perfect avenue for an Easton Palomaki run to make it first and goal on their second play of the drive. They’d make it look effortless as Nico Lukkarinen would cross the goal line yet again.
Negaunee would continue to ground and pound their way down field with runs from Lukkarinen and Palomaki. They would continue to move the chains including a first down catch from Phillip Nelson from Ty Jacobson. They would reach the endzone with a rush from Kai Lacar. The PAT was good to further the Miner’s lead to, 28-0.
After another Manistique punt, Negaunee would continue their offensive assault. Kai Lacar opened up the drive with a big run up the middle to immediately move the chains. That would be followed by a 38yd rush by Lukkarinen to cross into Manistique territory. Easton Palomaki would pound is way through the Emerald defense to cross the goal for his second touchdown of the half.
The Emeralds would be picked off on their second play of the drive by Ryan Reno. The Miners would find themselves knocking on the door once more and Lukkarinen would cross the endzone. The Miners continued to dominate, 42-0.
Halftime: Negaunee 42 – Manistique 0
Second Half: The Miners received the kick off to open the half. A huge return by Phillip Nelson led to Negaunee starting their first drive of the half in Manistique territory. Negaunee would start rotating in some fresh faces in the game, and an opening carry from James Thomson would bring it to the Emerald five yard line. The Miners would convert a third and long after the Emerald defense sent them backwards. It would be followed up with a hard run by James Thomson for the touchdown.
The Emeralds would convert a fourth down with a catch by Elmer Zellar after battling a strong Miner defense to keep their opening drive alive. Alex Noble would also have a good run to move the chains downfield for Manistique. Negaunee would get their second turnover of the ballgame after recovering an Emerald fumble to take back over.
Negaunee would open up by breaking tackles with a 15yd run by Thomson. With runs from Chase Bonovetz and Weston Yesney, the Miners continued to move the chains. The Miners would find the endzone one more time with Dan Schouten running off 15yds into pay dirt. Negaunee showed great sportsmanship by taking a knee on the two-point conversion.
FINAL: Negaunee 54 – Manistique 0
LISTEN TO THE FULL BROADCAST HERE
The Negaunee Miners are back in action next Friday! They head just a few miles down the road to face cross town rivals, the Ishpeming Hematites. Mark Evans and Greg Nelson will have the Elder Agency Pregame Show at 6:30pm with kickoff to follow at 7pm on Sunny 101.9 or online here at Sunny.fm!
