Justin St. Ours | Daily Press North Central’s Caden Tietz (44) tackles Lake Linden-Hubbell’s Dan Marcotte (5) Sept. 19 in Powers.

POWERS — North Central stymied a physical ground game from Lake Linden-Hubbell Saturday in Powers, but the Jets’ own run game punched through the Lakes’ defense for four scores in the first quarter on their way to a 65-0 Great Lakes West Conference-West football victory.

“It’s a team effort,” Jets coach Leo Gorzinski said. “That’s not just the starter group. It’s our scout offense and defense. It’s the kids that step in and sub in and do what they do.

“Lake Linden battled. I know the score was lopsided, but they’re a very physical football team. I expect to see them again this year.”

In the first quarter, North Central’s Luke Gorzinski broke out 19 and 41 yard runs for touchdowns, while Wyatt Raab and Alex Naser chipped in a rushing TD apiece. Two successful two-point conversions made it 28-0 after the first quarter, and the Jets (4-0) didn’t look back.

The Lakes (2-2, 1-2 GLWC-W) devoted their time to the run throughout the game, attacking on the ground 87-percent of the time.

“That’s how we run our offense,” Lakes coach Brett Gervais said. “We know that, in the U.P., later in the year, the weather can get pretty nasty, and tossing the ball around is not usually the best thing to do in that type of condition. Some teams can get away with it, and that’s fine. But, that’s usually where we make our mark. Today we weren’t able to run outside much, and that’s where we’re usually able to extend the field a bit and not be between the guards so much.”

North Central finished the game with five more TDs from Luke Gorzinski, Naser, Brent Labonte, Dillon Raab and Jake Gorzinksi.

The second half also saw the Jets cycling players in and out.

“When we practice and go against each other, you go as if you’re going to play,” coach Gorzinski said. “You have to be ready at that notice. It’s not just COVID stuff, but injuries can happen. You have to be ready. You have to know what the guy ahead of you’s responsibility is. Embrace that moment and get it done.”

Looking at the Jets’ first three games of the season, the cumulative point spread is 161-7 in the Jets’ favor — a daunting prospect for an opposing team.

“(We came in looking to) compete,” Gervais said. “Just compete, compete, compete. That’s what we stressed all week long. When you know you’re playing a team that’s talented and has been successful for so long, you want to do what you offensively and defensively and hope the kids rise up and compete every single play.

“(What we can take away from this is) blocking schemes — x’s and o’s type stuff. As much as you want to talk about coming out of the gates fast and competing, we still have plays that are there. One guy, if he traps the right way, if he blocks down on a specific guy — we have runs that are there. Looking at the film and then teaching the guys who the correct player to trap or block down on — that’s where we can get better.”

With that points spread now at 226-1, a looming problem for the Jets may simply be a lack of focus.

“I think focus is an issue for a lot of teams,” coach Gorzinski said. “The best thing that we have is that (these guys) have a taste for it. They know they have a target on their backs, and people are looking to knock them off. We’ve got to use that. It’s an intelligent group. They know we’re not playing for (lopsided games). We’re trying to get ourselves better every game.”

Coach Gorzinski also emphasized that any kind of game time is valuable for the team.

“Every time you go against somebody, the other coaches teach us as well,” he said. “(The) ways different people are going to try to defend some of our stuff. Are they going to try to cut block? Are they going to try to chop more? It’s all those different scenarios that (opposing teams) will try to do, and our guys have to get that look. (They need) to be able to learn and read when people are pulling and when they’re coming at them.

“You don’t get anything like the game-time experience, so we’re gaining that. Defensively, it’s still our guys understanding situational football — downs and distances. Just reading their plays from film, adjusting to your teammates and doing your job.”

Labonte and Luke Gorzinksi both finished 2-2 through the air with one TD and 66 and 55 yards respectively.

Luke Gorzinski also contributed 120 yards and two TDs on the ground over six carries.

Naser chipped in two TDs and 31 yards on three carries, and Dillon Raab, Jake Gorzinski and Wyatt Raab each collected one TD.

Lake Linden’s Sam Roberts earned 25 yards on the ground, and Danny Marcotte accumulated 19.

The Jets host Rapid River Friday, and Lake Linden travels to North Dickinson.