NEGAUNEE — A close 31-30 game went the way of the Negaunee Miners (6-1) over the Gladstone Braves (3-4) Friday night in Negaunee.

It all came down to a fourth-down play with two minutes left in the fourth quarter for the Braves, who needed to convert to keep their hopes of a win alive.

Nate Young lobbed the ball to Eli Berthauem, who almost made the catch but had the ball knocked out by a Negaunee defender.

“It was a really hard-fought game,” said coach Jeff Hansen. “A hard-hitting, physical game.

It came down to the wire going back and forth with each other. They would score, then we would score and vice versa. It thought it would come down to who had the ball in their hands last.”

The opening kickoff from Gladstone to Negaunee set the Braves back right away, as the Miners returned it for a touchdown. Though they came close, the Braves never recovered.

Nate Young had two touchdowns, one through the air and one on his feet, while Cole Potier ran for it in for two.

Berthaume had about 80 yards on the night with a TD.

The Braves host Gaylord Oct. 16.