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Bayshore domination

Esky shuts out Braves in battle between rivals

Austin Hemmingson | Daily Press Gladstone quarterback Cam Kelly (42) is tackled by Escanaba defenders Riley Lamb (50) and Kahler Geyer (55) during Friday’s game at Escanaba. Looking on for the Braves is Brett Boudreau (66).

ESCANABA — The top-ranked Escanaba Eskymos punched their ticket to the playoffs in methodical fashion here Friday night in a 35-0 football triumph over the Gladstone Braves.

“This is the fifth straight playoff berth for coach (Dave) Howes and us,” said Esky assistant coach Dave Wilson. “We missed Dave tonight and the kids said they wanted to win it for him.”

The victory enabled the Eskymos to improve to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in the Great Northern Conference.

Howes was suspended for the game due to being ejected in the second half against Menominee last week for arguing with an official.

Esky’s defense didn’t allow a first down until more than halfway through the third quarter.

The Eskymos also controlled the ball through much of the contest, especially in the first half when they ran 33 offensive plays to Gladstone’s 13.

“Our defense came to play,” said Wilson. “I thought our defense was sharp all night and I think our line was pretty stout all night. We wanted to establish the run and play-action passes.”

The Braves (3-4 overall, 0-3 GNC) were held to minus-3 yards in the first half and finished with 88 yards in total offense.

“They were real sharp,” said Braves’ coach Jeff Hansen. “I thought their quarterback (senior Ethan Silverstone) and offense was very sharp. That’s a real solid Escanaba football team. They just played better than we did.”

Esky led 21-0 at halftime, then extended its lead to 28 points on Silverstone’s QB sneak with seven minutes, 56 seconds left in the third quarter.

Two plays later, senior defensive end Dayton Miron recovered a fumble on the Gladstone 31-yard line.

The Eskymos then needed just two plays to find the end zone with Miron scoring on a 16-yard run around left end for a 35-0 advantage.

“We wanted to keep the ball out of their hands,” said Silverstone, who completed 10-of-14 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns. “It wasn’t hard to get motivated against a big rival and a playoff berth in front of us. Our goal was to shut them out.”

The Eskymos opened the scoring on a six-yard run to the right side by senior running back Josh Bruntjens midway through the first quarter.

The Eskymos extended their lead to 13-0 early in the second frame when junior wide receiver Tyler Lawson caught Silverstone’s pass through the middle in stride for a 19-yard TD.

Esky then gained a 21-0 cushion on Silverstone’s three-yard aerial to junior Bryant Maki just nine seconds before the intermission.

In the fourth stanza, Silverstone attempted what would have been a school-record 45-yard field goal. His kick, however, hit near the bottom of the goal post and bounced away.

“I knew I didn’t have the contact I wanted as soon as the ball left my foot,” he said. “They’re hoping to give me another shot in better weather and field conditions. The field was very slippery. It was hard to get your footing.”

After the Eskymos concluded the scoring, the Braves mounted a drive before turning the ball over on downs on the Esky 20.

Gladstone also appeared to have a scoring chance late in the contest. Senior defensive back Owen Baribeau, however, preserved the shutout by intercepting a pass at the Esky 13, enabling the Eskymos to go into victory formation.

Esky rushed for 171 yards, led by Bruntjens who gained 72 on 18 carries. Maki caught five passes for 56.

Gladstone finished with 73 yards on the ground and sophomore back-up QB Cam Kelly was 1-of-4 passing for 15 yards and an interception.

Senior running back Cole Hansen ran 11 times for 40 yards and Kelly added 39 in 11 attempts.

Braves’ senior QB Drake Forrest played the opening series, which ended with an interception by by junior defensive back Collin Arnt at their 30.

Forrest was then unable to return after sustaining a shoulder injury.

“There was no way we were going to put Drake back in after that,” said Hansen. “Field position hurt us. We were defending a 40-yard field. It’s hard to play defense on a short field against a team that does the things they do. Credit goes to their quarterback. He’s a good football player.”

Esky hosts Traverse City Central Friday. The Braves will try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive Friday when they host Marquette.

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