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ESCANABA--And now it's on to round two of the Michigan High School football playoffs with District championships on schedule Friday and Saturday throughout the state. Locally the Gladstone Braves will be playing at 7 p.m. Friday night at the Marble Athletic Field in Gladstone against Manistee. Bark River Harris will be at Iron Mountain and North Central will host Lake Linden.
All three teams opened tournament play with impressive wins last week. The Braves (7-2) defeated Elk Rapids 51-14, The Broncos(8-1) defeated the St. Ignace Saints 44-14 and the North Central Jets (10-0) stopped Stephenson 54-6.
Gladstone from the opening whistle overpower Boyne City behind the great running of Cole Potier and the sharp passing of Nathan Young to lead a well balanced Braves attack. Gladstone lead 37-0 at the half and never looked back as it was a total team effort with every player getting into the game.
This Friday it will be a whole different game as the Chippewas of Manistee(7-2) come into town after a big 28-27 upset of previously undefeated Boyne City. The Braves under coach Ness have been improving each week since that surprising loss to Negaunee.
Marble Athletic Field should be rocking come Friday with the Braves marching band ready to play as will be the GHS Braves. Gladstone Athletic Director Dale Hongisto and his staff will be there to showcase the home of the Braves.
The high scoring North Central Jets will be playing for another District Championship when they host the Lakes of Lake Linden Hubbell. Bark River Harris will have a more difficult time playing at Iron Mountain. The fast improving Menominee Maroons will play for a championship against unbeaten Negaunee on Friday night. On Saturday, Kingsford travels to Gladwin to face the undefeated Flying Gs. The Mustangs of Munising plays Newberry in a key eight man matchup also on Friday.