Dennis Grall | Daily Press Brady Eichmeier of North Central dashes upfield for an 86-yard touchdown jaunt in the first quarter Friday at Powers. C.J. Post (15) of Forest Park gives chase. Forest Park won 36-24.

POWERS — Forest Park showed its championship mettle by scoring two fourth quarter touchdowns here Friday night to shock North Central 36-24l in the opening round of the eight-player Division 2 playoffs.

The defending state champions, CFFP featured a punishing backfield tandem of juniors Tommy Peltoma and C. J. Post, who combined for 288 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

Peltoma passed 15 yards to Tommy Showers for the go-ahead score with 10:31 left for a 28-24 lead.

Peltoma’s one-yard run with 2:32 remaining sealed the victory and capped off a seven minute, 11-play scoring drive.

“We got our confidence that we could run the ball off tackle and we wanted to keep pounding the ball,” said Forest Park coach Dave Graff.

“When you keep pounding, ground and pound, it takes its toll on them too and it was a physical game.”

North Central opened the game leading 12-0 after the first quarter on touchdown runs of 46 and 86 yards by quarterback Brady Eichmeier.

Jet’s coach Leo Gorzinski made the decision to start Eichmeier as starter Noah Gorzinski suffered an ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of last week’s Stephenson game.

“I may be second guessing myself for not playing #7 (Noah Gorzinski) but we moved the ball offensively but just didn’t get it done,” said coach Gorzinksi

Noah Gorzinski played in the secondary and registered his seventh interception of the season and returned kickoffs. He was limited to five carries for 13 yards in limited offensive action and also caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Eichmeier in the third quarter.

Gorzinski’s TD reception gave the Jets a 24-22 lead with 6:31 left in the third stanza.

Coach Gorzinski said a key to the game was the physical play of the defending champions.

“They out-played us. When you are in the pits and playing physical, give them credit. They came back and played four physical quarters of football to beat us.”

The two teams battled in the trenches throughout the first half and North Central led 18-14 on Eichmeier’s three touchdown runs and 192 yards rushing in the first 24 minutes.

“We made some adjustments at halftime and what did Eichmeier have at halftime, 200 yards rushing,” said Graff. “We came up with some big stops on defense when we had to in the second half.”

Graff commented on Noah Gorzinski not being at full strength compared to the early season game won 52-28 by North Central.

“That was not the same player (Gorzinski) that we faced earlier in the year,” said Graff.

“That was unfortunate for them he was not at full strength but our kids came ready to play.

“This was a big win for us and we keep getting better every week.”

North Central (8-2) saw its eight-game winning streak snapped and aspirations for going deep in the playoffs ended with the sudden home loss.

The Jets’ nine seniors were part of two state championship seasons (2015-2016) and the early playoff loss was a tough one.

“This group of seniors has worked so hard,” said coach Gorzinski.

“What people don’t realize is, I’ve worked with these kids since sixth grade and in youth football.

“This is my group of guys and I love them all. This one hurts.”

Forest Park travels to Rapid River Friday in the second round of the playoffs.