Theresa Proudfit | Iron Mountain Daily News Gladstone’s Cam Ballard (19) dodges a Kingsford tackle Friday at Kingsford.

KINGSFORD — The undefeated were toppled here Friday as Kingsford restrained a thrashing Gladstone Braves football team in the final seconds. The Flivvers finished the contest 30-28, in an ironic echo of the Braves’ last two wins (22-20 over Negaunee on Sept. 25 and 28-26 over Sault Ste. Marie on Oct. 2).

“These games have been tight, and they’ve each come down to a couple points,” Braves coach Jeff Hansen said. “We’ve been playing good football teams, and we’re a good football team. So, that’s to be expected, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We love to play tough football.”

It came down to the last few seconds in the Great Northern Conference contest. The Braves scored, but a mishandled snap during the two-point conversion — that would have tied the game and forced overtime — left Gladstone quarterback Cam Kelly out in the cold.

Gladstone (2-1, 0-1 GNC) elected to do an onside kick and managed to recover the ball. However, with less than 30 seconds left, the Braves’ hopes were dashed as the Flivvers (3-1, 1-1 GNC) picked it off — one of six Gladstone turnovers for the game.

“In all reality, it’s really hard to win a football game if you turn it over that much,” Hansen said. “That we even had the chance to win in the final seconds is crazy to think about, but as sloppy as we played at certain points, the kids kept competing and making big plays when they had to.”

The Braves trailed after halftime but pulled themselves back into it with the help of Caden Downey.

“We were down (a few starters), so we had some kids moving into different roles,” Hansen said. “They all did great, but Caden Downey may have had the game of his life. He was one of the players that had to come in and play. He played his tail off tonight. He made a lot of big plays to help us stay in the game, and he responded very well.”

Despite the errors, Hansen praised the team’s tenacity.

“We certainly had a chance, but it’s difficult when you put yourself behind the 8-ball,” he said. “I’m proud of the resilience and grit they showed. They kept fighting. I’m really proud of how they responded throughout the night, and I think you saw the character of the team shine through with their grit and determination. That’s something we can hang our hat on.

“It was a heck of a football game. At the end of the day, we’re playing football on a Friday night, and the kids are out there making memories. We’re just lucky to have that right now.”

Gladstone travels to Menominee Friday.