NEGAUNEE - The Gladstone Braves are going back to the football regional, and they're heading downstate.
The Braves overwhelmed Negaunee 19-0 here Saturday to win the Division 5 district football title. Gladstone (9-2) will face Standish-Sterling (11-0) Saturday in Gaylord (time to be decided).
Gladstone's defense suffocated the Miners, shutting down the potent option rushing attack. Negaunee (9-2) managed just 34 rushing yards and a minus-two overall net yards. The Miners only crossed mid-field once.
Bruce Anderson helped the Braves take charge in the first half. A fullback as a junior, he was switched to tackle this year when the Braves adopted the spread offense.
Saturday, with snow flurries whipping across the field from Lake Superior, Anderson moved back to fullback and responded with a sterling performance.
He ran for 110 yards in 15 carries, including 102 yards in 11 first-half tries as the Braves built a 17-0 lead. Playing linebacker, he also accounted for a safety of Negaunee quarterback Mario Marana in the fourth quarter.
Anderson had a 10-yard touchdown run on Gladstone's second possession of the game, then ripped off a 38-yard TD burst in the second quarter.
Andy Lauscher added a 22-yard field goal just before halftime for the Braves, who fell 28-27 at Negaunee Sept. 12.
Quarterback Kyle Jensen added 102 yards in 21 carries for the Braves, who ran for 267 of their 299 yards.
Three other Upper Peninsula teams won district titles Saturday.
In Division 4, Kingsford stunned previously unbeaten Remus Chippewa Hills 21-13.
In Division 7, Iron Mountain clubbed Boyne City 35-6.
In Division 8, defending state champion Crystal Falls Forest Park nudged Lake Linden-Hubbell 6-0.