EBEN — Stopping the state’s top-ranked eight-player football team proved difficult for the Superior Central Cougars Saturday as they fell to the Pickford Panthers 70-22.

“This was a tough game,” said Cougars’ coach Sam Eggleston. “They’re everything as advertised. They’re the hardest working athletes we’ve gone up against. They showed why they’re ranked No. 1 in the state.”

Pickford (7-0) scored five times in the first quarter for a 35-0 advantage in this Great Lakes Eight East Division contest.

“We’re a balanced team,” said Pickford coach Josh Rader. “Trying to defend us is a tough thing. Our guys work well together and they did a good job controlling the line of scrimmage. We want to play physical in every game.”

The Panthers extended their lead to 49-0 with eight minutes, 18 seconds left in the second stanza on a 29-yard interception return by junior Jim Storey.

Senior Roubens Fink scored three times for the Cougars (3-4), with his first score coming on a nine-yard pass from senior quarterback Kyle Frusti with 2:56 left in the second.

Fink broke several tackles on a 34-yard touchdown run up the middle late in the second and returned a kickoff 81 yards for another score in the third.

His first TD was set up on a fumble recovery on the PIckford 43-yard line by junior Jack Rondeau

“If Roubens isn’t considered for (Upper Peninsula) Player of the Year, I think it’s a shame,” said Eggleston. “He doesn’t shy away from contact. Even if you make contact with him, you’re likely to be out of position because that’s how fast he is. He played six positions today and did very well with all of them.”

Fink caught eight passes for 132 yards and ran 16 times for 50.

“Superior Central is a good team,” said Rader. “They’re well coached and have some good players. Fink is a real good player and gave us some match-up problems. Their kids didn’t quit and we appreciate their sportsmanship. They’re tough kids.”

The Cougars passed for 163 of their 215 yards, with Frusti completing 13-of-31 aerials for a TD and an interception.

“We had hoped to give him another year to develop,” said Eggleston. “We watched film on the Engadine game (a 62-6 loss) and pointed out things he could do to hold on to the ball a little longer and extend plays. We point up some nice points in trying circumstances.”

Pickford collected 396 yards in total offense, including 299 on the ground. Junior Matt Bush carried nine times for 124 yards and two TDs. Classmate Isaac Brown run three times for 75 yards and a TD.

Storey hit all four of his passes for 97 yards and three TDs, with two of those (46 and 43 yards) going to 6-foot-8 junior end Nick Edington.

During the contest, the Cougars lost junior Lucas Kanerva to a broken hand, senior Noah Groulx to a possible concussion and Rondeau for the second half with issues to his sternum.

“We were three starters down coming into this game, now we’re six starters down,” said Eggleston. “That’s the danger of this size program.”

The Cougars are scheduled to visit Wausaukee, Wis. Friday.