ESCANABA — After spending the weekend on Cloud Nine, the Superior Central Cougars came back to earth Monday when they resumed practice for another important eight-player football game.

The Cougars will try to avoid a letdown tonight when they visit potent Cedarville. Last week the Cougars won their first season opener since 2014, against the reigning Division 2 state champions, no less. Central stunned perennial power Crystal Falls Forest Park 46-24 in the biggest victory in the school’s brief football history.

“We tried to ground the kids pretty fast after that win,” said third-year coach Sam Eggleston. “We didn’t want them to think they were giant killers.”

Eggleston did agree the victory put some juice into a program that began in 2010 and has suffered through five straight losing seasons.

“It was euphoric afterwards,” Eggleston said of the atmosphere in the lockerroom and the community. “The energy was so high and through the roof. It definitely set a tone, and a tone that we want to keep.”

Beau Rondeau hit 6-of-14 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns and ran 11 times for 120 yards and two TDs. Roubans Fink was just as dazzling, running for 179 yards and three TDs on just nine carries. The Cougars led 12-0 and never trailed, posting a 40-16 halftime lead.

The Cougars hung on in the second half after linebacker Noah Groulx was sidelined with a neck injury, creating “a glaring hole on both sides for us,” said Eggleston. The three-year starter and three-time team captain is expected to play tonight.

Eggleston said Roubens “has been so dynamic for us.”

A likely key to the stunning triumph came when Eggleston opened up his playbook by going to the air more often to open the game.

“I don’t usually pass and they knew that about us. I had to trust my guys and open up the field” he said to break out of the run-run mold.

“We came out and had everything together on defense. It absolutely made the boys think different of themselves,” he said, adding he received a huge volume of congratulatory phone calls and text messages over the weekend.

Eggleston believes the victory will serve as a stepping stone for his squad and does not think there will be a letdown.

“We came to practice (Monday) focused and ready to learn more,” he said indicating this victory could provide a push to making the post-season.

“We have plodded along here the past 4-5 years. If we can get the ball rolling and keep the momentum up I can see more kids coming out for the program. This is one of those wins that can get people in the stands and give us the attention the kids want.”

Eggleston is also aware Cedarville is another perennial playoff entrant with a solid program. This year’s edition under coach Scott Barr likes to “throw a ton,” Eggleston said, estimating the ball is in the air 60 percent of the time. “They like to spread the field and the quarterback is not afraid to throw into coverage.”

Because of that aerial propensity, Eggleston and his staff put the Cougars through extensive pass defense work this week. “They will go empty backfield and try to find a mis-match,” he said.

Cedarville dropped a 46-40 decision to high-powered Stephenson in its opener.

Elsewhere tonight, Rapid River visits North Central and Carney-Nadeau visits Forest Park.