Escanaba’s Nolan Bink (4) celebrates a touchdown with Tom Benoit (56) and Javon Stevenson (11) against Cadillac on Aug. 31, 2023 at Escanaba Athletic Field.

ESCANABA — For the first time in program history, Escanaba football competed in a Big North Conference game.

It’s Big North debut was spoiled by the turnover bug in a 43-36 home loss to Cadillac on Thursday.

Esky is now 1-1.

“‘I’m so proud of them,” Escanaba coach Bailey Lamb said. “They’re gonna feel it. They’re gonna be upset. But they work so hard, and we haven’t seen that fight in so long. I’m so proud of them.”

With the game tied 14-14 late in the second quarter and momentum up for grabs, the Eskymos marched to midfield. On second-and-10, the Eskymos dialed up a speed option to the offensive right. Sophomore quarterback opted to pitch the ball to senior Ben Johnson. What Bink didn’t see was Cadillac’s Luke Phillips sprinting to the space between the two Eskymos. Phillips snagged the pitch in mid air and ran it to the house for a touchdown. Esky’s offense stuttered for the remainder of the half. The Vikings capitalized with touchdowns on their next two possessions, claiming a 34-14 lead at the break. Esky refused to surrender, methodically making its way 72 yards in nine plays for a touchdown in th second half’s first possession. With the two-point conversion successful, the Eskymos pulled within 12 less than three minutes into the second half.

After a sack on fourth-and-16, Esky marched on a 10-play, 73-yard touchdown drive capped by a 1-yard run by Bink. The two-point fry was stuffed, but Esky climbed to 34-28 with 3:24 left in the third.

With 59 seconds in the third quarter, the Eskymos found traction. A lengthy drive set up second-and-4 from the Vikings 14-yard line. Everything was going right for the home team.

Then a wild snap forced a third-and-19. After a screen pass gained a yard, Bink’s pass on fourth down was intercepted and taken the distance for a 72-yard pick-six. After eating 5:34 of game clock on the drive which resulted in the Vikings second defensive touchdown of the contest, the Eskymos trailed 40-28.

Esky struck with a 2-yard touchdown from Chase Cloutier with 26 seconds left. The two-point try was successful to pull to 43-36. Cadillac recovered the onside kick, sealing the game.

The Vikings responded with a 9-play, 68-yard drive to tie the game at 14.

The Eskymos begin a string of three-straight road games against Petoskey on Sept. 8. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.