Gladstone Mi – November 12 – The Negaunee Miners took on the Gladstone Braves on a very cold and snowy Saturday afternoon to battle for the regional final and move onto the State Semi Final. After a very defensive game the Negaunee Miners were able to over power the Gladstone braves in a 18-14 victory. Negaunee won the regional championship and moved to 12-0 for the season, and now get to move on to the state semi final next weekend.
First Quarter: Gladstone won the coin toss and elected to kick off to the Miners to start the regional final. After the Miners received the opening kick they looked to move the ball down field but were shut down by the Braves defense. As the Braves started their first drive of the game light snow began to fall. Neither offense could seem to get something going after a very defensive and scoreless first quarter
End of first quarter score: Negaunee:0 Gladstone:0
Second Quarter: The Miners had possession to start off the second quarter and their offensive efforts were shut down by the Braves, forcing the Miners to punt the ball away. Snow began to pick up as the braves pushed the ball down field into Miner territory. The Braves had the ball deep in Miner territory looking to put the first points on the board, but the Miners were able to force a turnover on downs on the goal line. Wind is playing a big factor in both teams passing efforts making it hard to move the ball down field. As the clock was winding down Philip Nelson received a big pass putting The Miners in Braves territory. On the next play Kai Lacar came up with a 30 yard touchdown putting the Miners ahead 7-0 minutes before halftime. Cole Potier ran for a 34 yard touchdown putting points on the board for the Braves before they headed to halftime, the Miners were able to shutdown the 2-point conversion making the score 7-6 Miners going into halftime.
End of second quarter score: Negaunee:7 Gladstone:6
Third Quarter: Philip Nelson started off the half with a big kick to the end zone, the Braves will start the second half with the ball on the 20. In the first plays of the drive the Miners forced a fumble on the Braves, Braves were able to recover and maintain possession. After forcing the Braves to punt, Kai lacar had a 34 yard run to open up the drive and move the Miner’s downfield. The Braves were able to shutdown the Miners and force a turnover on downs in this very defensive game. Nico Lukkarinen ran the ball deep into Braves territory giving the miners a chance to put more points on the board. The Braves were able to stop the Miners from scoring a touchdown but Philip Nelson was able to kick a field goal and put the Miners ahead 10-6. After getting the ball back and looking to move down field the Braves fumbled the ball and James Thomson was able to recover giving the Miners possession. Ty Jacobson opened up the drive with a 40 yard touchdown pass to Philip Nelson and after a successful 2-point conversion by Ryan Rino the Miners take a 18-6 lead over the Braves at the end of the third quarter.
End of third quarter score: Negaunee:18 Gladstone:6
Fourth Quarter: The Miners shutdown the Braves offense on their first drive of the fourth quarter forcing them to punt. The Braves defense did not let the Miners get anything going on offense giving them the ball back and a chance to shorten the Miners lead. Drake Spickerman made a big sack on Nate Young forcing a loss of 10 yards for the Braves offense. The braves were able to comeback after the sack and move the ball deep into Miner territory. Nate young threw a five yard touchdown pass to Kaden Gibbs and after an unsuccessful 2-point conversion the Braves trail 12-18 late in the fourth quarter. The Negaunee Miners were able to get a first down with a minute left and were able to run the clock out.
Final score: Negaunee:18 Gladstone:12
The Negaunee Miners won the regional final moving them to 12-0 for the season and sending them to the state semi-final. Mark and Gregg will have all the action for you next weekend on sunny 101.9.
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