Dennis Grall | Daily Press BR-H's Dylon Lippens zooms through a huge hole against Gogebic Friday in Harris.

HARRIS — A late defensive stand saved the Bark River-Harris Broncos Friday night as they squeezed past the Gogebic Miners 7-6 for their first football victory this season.

Gogebic gained possession on the BR-H 40-yard line following a short punt with one minute, 46 seconds left in this WestPAC Conference crossover match-up.

The Miners moved to the 17 on senior Parker Wilson’s 20-yard pass to senior end David Benson with six seconds left to play.

Following a BR-H time-out, Wilson scampered to his left for a 12-yard gain where he was stopped by several BR-H defenders as time expired.

“This is a big confidence boost for us,” said BR-H coach Al Stenberg. “We looked at this game after last week (a 58-8 loss at Munising). We were embarrassed and appalled by what happened up there. We wanted this game real bad.

“Part of this W goes to the jayvee coaching staff. They helped us prepare for tonight’s game by giving us some good looks in practice. We have some great kids on this team. They’re fun to coach.”

The Miners also threatened on their previous drive before the Broncos stopped them at the 13 with 2:57 remaining.

“When you have an opportunity in the end, that’s all you ask,” said Gogebic coach Mark Mazzon. “This is a lot better than getting blown out. The kids have to be proud of competing the way they did.”

BR-H (1-3) trailed 6-0 at halftime, but marched 64 yards on seven plays to open the third quarter. Sophomore Dylon Lippens then tied the score on a three-yard run up the middle and senior Willy Schmitt added the extra point.

“We started to get a push to the right side,” said Stenberg. “Our senior lineman (Issaic Smith) started moving his feet and we ran behind him.”

After forcing Gogebic into a three-and-out situation, BR-H drove to the Miners two before losing three yards and fumbling the ball away at the five.

“We fumbled the snap,” said Stenberg. “We had problems with that last week and had problems with that again this week.”

Gogebic limited the Broncos to 35 yards in the first half before they started moving the ball in the second.

“They played with more heart in the third quarter and we played with a lot of heart in the fourth,” said Mazzon. “Our defense played better than it has been, but they controlled the line of scrimmage in the third quarter.”

Gogebic (0-4) scored its TD early in the second on a one-yard run off right tackle by sophomore Sethe Cole.

The Miners outgained BR-H 188-163. Junior Jamie Jett ran 14 times for 62 yards and Wilson was 3-of-7 passing for 53 yards and an interception.

BR-H senior Colton Brunette rushed 14 times for 86 yards, most of which was gained up the middle. Senior Eric Viau added 57 yards in 13 attempts. The Broncos attempted just one pass.

The Broncos resume at Iron Mountain Friday. The Miners host West Iron County Friday.