ESCANABA — There were plenty of offensive fireworks on display here Friday as the Menominee Maroons handed the Escanaba Eskymos a 48-28 football loss on Homecoming and Parents’ Night.

Menominee gained 431 yards in total offense in this Great Northern Conference match-up and Esky finished with 291 in its GNC opener.

“We appreciate the fireworks,” Menominee coach Chad Brandt said during the post-game fireworks display commemorating 125 years of Esky football. “Our offensive line worked so hard the entire game. Those guys stayed in the flow of the game, and our backs blocked for each other. They were working well together. They’ve been around for 125 yards, and this is our 129th year. There’s a lot of tradition on both sides. We told the kids they’ll remember this even more if they win the game.”

The Eskymos were still very much in the contest after senior quarterback Casey Bray threw a 50-yard touchdown bomb to Kaiden Brown on the left side, shaving their deficit to 36-28 just 56 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Menominee responded on its next possession in the 125th meeting between the schools, gaining a 42-28 cushion on senior Kaeden Calcari’s 68-yard dash around left end.

The Maroons put the game out of reach on junior Landan Bardowski’s 22-yard burst through the middle with one minute, 44 seconds remaining.

“We’re young and inexperienced right now,” said Esky coach Bailey Lamb. “Homecoming had some distractions. It was a tough week. Although, we have to give credit to Menominee. They came off the ball hard. Their backs are tough kids. They refused to go down. We’ve got to get better at tackling. We’ve got to hit them lower. We told the guys we need to wrap people up. They will figure it out.”

The Eskymos committed five turnovers, including one 90 seconds before halftime resulting in a 13-yard interception return by sophomore Kaiden Bell which gave Menominee a 20-6 lead.

“That’s uncharacteristic,” said Lamb. “You’re not going to win very often when you turn the ball over that many times.”

Esky marched 65 yards in six plays to open the third stanza, closing within 20-12 on Ben Johnson’s 18-yard run around left end.

Menominee answered on its next possession, hiking its advantage to 28-12 on Bardowski’s 11-yard run off right tackle midway through the third.

The Eskymos needed just 24 seconds to respond. Adam Reimer returned the ensuing kickoff to the Menominee 26, and Bray’s keeper around left end trimmed Esky’s deficit to 28-20 on the next play.

Menominee went up 36-20 on a 12-yard pass by junior quarterback Trevor Theuerkauf to Calcari with 11 seconds remaining in the third.

The Maroons marched 65 yards in six plays in the game’s opening drive, taking a 6-0 lead on Theuerkauf’s 47-yard aerial to Bardowski.

Esky then lost a fumble on its 47 just 39 seconds later.

The Maroons made them pay, gaining a 14-0 cushion on Bardowski’s three-yard run up the middle midway through the opening frame.

“Getting that jump early in the game gave us confidence,” said Brandt. “We knew they had some athletes in space. We also knew they were going to score some points. It didn’t help to give them great field position on that kickoff in the third quarter. As it turned out, we needed every point.”

Esky got on the board on Bray’s 15-yard pass to Trent Lawson with 2:13 left in the first quarter.

The Eskymos rushed for 139 yards, led by Johnson who gained 100 on 19 carries. Bray was 15-of-25 passing for 152 yards with a touchdown and interception.

Menominee ran for 293 yards out of its single-wing offense. Bardowski carried 26 times for 171, and Calcari added 128 in 17 attempts. Theuerkauf completed 9-of-20 aerials for 138 yards and two scores.

A plaque dedication to the family of longtime area sportscaster Jim Pinar took place at midfield in a pre-game ceremony.

The Eskymos (1-3) travel to Kingsford Friday. The Maroons (2-2 overall, 1-1 GNC) host Milwaukee School of Science Saturday.