BRIMLEY — The Rapid River Rockets took charge early here Saturday in a 59-16 eight-player football rout of Brimley.

Rapid River led 32-8 after the first quarter and 51-16 at halftime of the Great Lakes Eight West Division outing.

Rockets’ quarterback Bryce Lundquist hit 11-of-15 passes for 182 yards, three touchdowns and a pair of 2-point conversions in this season-opener.

Rapid River added 274 yards on the ground, led by Griffin Flath, who ran 19 times for 115 yards and two TDs. He also caught a 33-yard TD pass in the second quarter for a 44-8 advantage.

“We had excellent line play,” said Rockets’ coach Steve Ostrenga. “Overall, the team played together and the guys showed the versatility we need to have. We had 16 guys Saturday. They had to fill different roles at times and they certainly did. We eliminated mistakes and had no turnovers. We’re obviously happy with our first win, but we still have a lot of work to do.”

Lundquist also opened the scoring on a five-yard run for an 8-0 lead with seven minutes, 14 seconds left in the first quarter and Flath added a five-yard TD run and scored on a three-yard run for a 32-0 cushion with 52 seconds left in the opening frame.

The Bays got on the board 12 seconds later on a 75-yard kickoff return by Mason Johnson.

Rapid River’s Mason Kudlick rushed for 61 yards on 10 carries. Lundquist added 37 in eight attempts and Ishmael Hernandez got 31 yards and a TD on eight carries.

The Rockets forced seven turnovers with Damyn Smith recovering two fumbles. Max Lenaker added an interception and fumble recovery and Ben Lenaker pounced on an onside kick. Flath, Hernandez and Kudlick also had interceptions.

Flath led the Rockets in tackles with 10. Hernandez and Kudlick had six apiece.

“I thought (assistant coach) Dave Lundquist called an excellent game offensively,” said Ostrenga. “We had excellent input from the coaching staff and players. Jayvee head coach Jack Smith saw something Brimley was doing and helped us score a touchdown. Our defense gave up one touchdown and we gave up a kick return. Credit to the coaches for setting up an excellent defensive game plan.”

The Rockets host Engadine Friday.