Justin St. Ours | Daily Press Escanaba’s Connor Royer (20) and Ty Miron (60) tackle Petoskey’s Mark Ledig (25) Friday in Escanaba.

ESCANABA — It was a big night for the Escanaba Eskymos in more than one way here Friday as they hung on for a 33-30 football triumph over the Petoskey Northmen.

Not only did this mark Bailey Lamb’s first coaching victory, but it also enabled the Eskymos to snap a 10-game losing streak dating back to last year’s season-opener at Antigo, Wis., where they posted a 42-28 triumph.

“This feels great, especially to be able to do it in front of our hometown fans,” he said. “It’s great to get that first one.”

This was also Esky’s first triumph on its home field since Oct. 11, 2019, when it defeated Gladstone 35-0.

“It’s amazing,” said Esky senior quarterback Casey Bray. “We played our hearts out, and doing this at home gives us an even greater feeling. Our receivers work hard in practice, going one-on-one every day. Ben Johnson played a great game, and our defense stepped up. This gives us momentum going into homecoming.”

Esky (1-2) sealed the verdict with 81 seconds remaining when the ball took a high bounce in front of Adam Reimer, who landed on top of it.

The Eskymos gave themselves a little breathing room with 2:47 left to play on Bray’s five-yard pass to Trent Lawson for a 33-22 cushion.

Petoskey, however, wasn’t quite done as junior QB Joseph McCarthy tossed a 10-yard TD pass to junior Brian Pike at 1:27, setting the stage for the onside kick.

The Northmen (1-2) took a 15-8 lead on a 25-yard right end sweep by speedy junior tailback Cody Hibbler with 3:46 left in the second stanza.

Esky tied the contest on its next possession on Bray’s 21-yard aerial to Lawson at 2:05.

With Petoskey facing a third-and-eight situation on its own 26-yard line 46 seconds before halftime, the Eskymos called time-out.

Johnson intercepted a pass 10 seconds later and returned it to the Northmen 20.

Bray then fired a 20-yard TD pass to Johnson on the next play, giving the Eskymos a 21-15 halftime lead.

“It was nice to go into the half with the lead,” said Lamb. “I think the kids realized it was their game to lose. We just told them to go out and do their jobs. There were a lot of crazy moments, but the kids stuck with it. On tape, it looked like their strengths were our strengths.”

Petoskey took a 22-21 lead on McCarthy’s 17-yard keeper around right end midway through the third.

The Eskymos went ahead for good with three seconds left in the third on Bray’s 23-yard aerial to Johnson, giving them a 27-22 lead.

Hibbler rushed for 87 yards on his first three carries, including a 63-yard TD dash around left end on the game’s second play from scrimmage.

The Eskymos then took an 8-6 lead on Bray’s 9-yard pass to Johnson early in the second frame.

Esky finished with 418 yards in total offense, including 187 on the ground. Johnson rushed 20 times for 171 and caught eight passes for 119, including three for TDs. Lawson hauled in five aerials for 87 yards and two scored. Bray was 17-of 27 passing for 231 yards, five touchdowns and an interception.

Johnson, Lawson, Jake Lippens and Ty Miron had interceptions for the Eskymos.

“Ben is such a hard worker,” said Lamb. “It’s almost expected because he worked so hard during the off-season. Ben is such a good kid, and he’s not afraid of the moment. He does everything to help the team. Their tailback (Hibbler) is very fast and a good athlete. They rely on him so much. They had a good game plan and made it clear what they intended to do.”

Petoskey rushed for 215 of its 301 yards, with Hibbler gaining 166 on 16 carries. McCarthy completed 6-of-18 aerials for 86 yards for one TD.

“Penalties hurt us,” said Petoskey coach Jim Webb. “We hadn’t had any holding penalties before tonight, and one official told me they could have called holding on every play. How do you explain that? That’s really unfortunate because they deserved to win. They played tough.”

The 13th Annual Football Wall of Fame induction ceremony took place during Friday’s game.

Esky makes its final home appearance this season Friday at 7 p.m. by hosting Menominee for homecoming and Parents’ Nigh. The Eskymos will also celebrate 125 years of football with a fireworks display taking place after the game.

Petoskey, which won the JV game 17-16, hosts Gaylord Friday.