Dennis Grall | Daily Press Escanaba football coach Dave Howes is interviewed by WLUC-TV sportscaster Alex Kline before Friday’s game at Gladstone. The Eskymos visit Traverse City Central Friday.

By Dennis Grall

dgrall@dailypress.net

ESCANABA — The all-important post-season is just around the corner, meaning some area high school football teams have more at stake than others over the final two weeks.

North Central (6-1) has reached the magic win number of six to earn a playoff spot while Escanaba (5-2) and Rapid River (5-2) need one more win to hit that mark. However, both Esky and the Rockets are on the road Friday against powerful teams.

The Eskymos visit Traverse City Central (6-1), which is ranked seventh in the Associated Press Division 2 state poll. The Rockets go to Engadine (6-1) which is No. 2 in the U.P. eight-player division.

The weekend’s schedule kicks off tonight when North Central hosts Carney-Nadeau (0-7). Elsewhere Friday,Gladstone (3-4) visits Marquette (3-4) and Superior Central (3-4) visits Wausaukee, Wis. Saturday, Bark River-Harris (2-5) goes to Lake Linden-Hubbell (1-6).

TCC, which has reached the playoffs the past five years, has upended two of Escanaba’s earlier opponents, drubbing Alpena 42-7 Saturday and a week earlier stopping Petoskey 36-22. Esky edged Petoskey 15-14 and fell 30-21 to Alpena in the season’s opening two games.

TCC erupted for 21 first-quarter points Saturday against Alpena at Thirlby Field, and the Wildcats only crossed mid-field once in the first half and were limited to a total of 103 yards, all by rushing.

Quarterback Tobin Schwannecke, the wheel around whom the Trojans operate, ran for 189 yards in 15 carries and completed 5-of-10 passes for two touchdowns.

“He is a scary kid, a special player,” said Esky coach Dave Howes. “He’s flashy. He’s kind of like Austin Young was here five years ago. He’s shifty and has some speed on him.”

Schwannecke ran for 176 yards on 20 carries last week and had three TDs against Petoskey a week earlier and hit 7-of-9 passes for 158 yards and two TDs.

He is complemented by dangerous backs Sam Schmitt and Trey Searles and a tight end is reportedly bound for Western Michigan University.

“It’s hard to defend us because we have so many weapons with our slot receivers and split ends,” Schwannecke told the Traverse City Record-Eagle. Searles caught five balls for 77 yards and a TD against Petoskey.

TCC coach Eric Schugars said after the Petoskey game “Tobin is going to make plays. If he has time back there, he is gonna survey the field and fire a dart or take off running. That’s why we give him the ball. It’s not a secret.”

Howes said the Trojans are fast on tape and compared them to the speed displayed here last month by Detroit Loyola. “They (TCC) spread you out more, which is scary. They run jet sweeps and have the speed to do that. They set you up with a lot of different things. We have to pick our poison what we want to stop.”

Howes said it will be important to have a balanced defensive effort to contain the explosive Trojans.

Gladstone, which has been plagued by injuries, made it through the 28-15 loss to Escanaba last week in relatively good health. “That was a great football game,” said Braves’ coach Jeff Hansen. “Our kids played their hearts out. Over four quarters we acquitted ourselves pretty well. The game was there to be had.”

He said the Eskymos, citing Jared Nash, Craig Kamin and Josh Bruntjens in particular, “have a few dynamic athletes. They had three big plays in that game.”

The Braves now must face another dynamic athlete, wide receiver Ethan Martysz. “They want to get the ball in his hands as much as possible,” said Hansen, noting he lines up at several positions. “They find ways to get him the ball. He will get his touches, but we have to limit his impact so he does not shake loose for any big plays. He’ll be on each side of the formation so you can’t just lock on him.”

Quarterback Brendan Kaski and running back Drew Gale, an All-U.P. dream team pick last year, give the Redmen a triple threat just like the Eskymos will face downstate.

The game will be played on Marquette’s new turf field, which will provide a faster track compared to the rain-drenched fields most teams will be mucking around on this weekend. “That is better for everybody,” said Hansen, whose Marble Athletic Field has deteriorated drastically this season.

Hansen said the Braves still have a postseason shot if they can reach five wins, but noted “the window isn’t wide open. We don’t control our own destiny if we win out. There will be plenty of five-win teams (in the playoffs) so our goal is still there.”

A touching moment happened in Cedarville last Friday when Rapid River played the Trojans.

A fund-raiser was held for five-year-old Kayge Fowler of Cedarville, who is battling brain cancer. He also did the pre-game coin flip with the captains of both teams.

“It was touching,” said Rapid River coach Steve Ostrenga. “Our hearts and prayers go out to him.”

The Rockets head east – for the fourth time this season – when they visit second-ranked Engadine Friday.