Carney-Nadeau quarterback Elijah Tillmon (37) fumbles the ball during a sack against Brimley on Oct. 5, 2024 at North Central High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

SPALDING — They tried hard.

Despite all their efforts, the young Carney-Nadeau Wolves couldn’t avoid dropping a 68-0 eight-player football decision to the Brimley Bays in a match-up of shorthanded teams here Saturday afternoon.

Both teams were down to 11 players heading into the contest.

“It’s an important win,” Brimley coach Mason Harris said. “We’ve got to stack the wins to have a chance to make the playoffs, but staying healthy is our main goal.”

The Bays (3-3) found the end zone six times in the first quarter, gaining a 40-0 advantage on senior Trey Lynn’s 34-yard pass to sophomore Gus Vonseggern.

They made it 48-0 on Lynn’s 37-yard keeper to the right early in the second, then increased their advantage to 56-0 on Lynn’s 23-yard aerial to Vonseggern midway through the second.

Lynn then tossed a 35-yard touchdown pass to senior Dallas Andrus for a 62-0 cushion 1:35 before halftime.

Brimley wrapped up the scoring midway through in the third stanza.

C-N (0-6) got its best scoring chance in the fourth frame when sophomore Tristan Zimmerman recovered a fumble on Brimley’s 35-yard line.

The Wolves, however, managed to gain just one yard before turning the ball over on downs.

“It’s a work in progress,” C-N coach Jim Belec said. “I’m happy with the effort. I know the score doesn’t show it, but we’re getting better. Once we get them in the weight room for a year, we’ll be fine. There’s going to be growing pains at times.”

The Bays needed just 23 seconds to get on the board as Lynn tossed a 40-yard pass to Vonseggern for an 8-0 lead.

Lynn’s 30-yard aerial to junior Evan Evitts made it 16-0 and Scott Bowens then recovered a fumble and returned it 21 yards for another score.

Brimley finished with 333 yards in total offense. Lynn was 6-of-7 passing for 187 and five touchdowns, all in the first half.

“In the first half we were definitely lackadaisical,” Harris said. “We were jumping offside quite a bit. We didn’t have a good week of practice. Although, it was a good effort by both teams. For them to still play and compete, I take my hat off to them.”

The Wolves were held to 71 yards. Junior Makeen Demaschke rushed for 36 yards on 10 carries and senior Elijah Tillmon completed 3-of-12 passes for 30 yards and two interceptions.

C-N, comprised of mainly freshman and sophomores, travels to North Dickinson Friday. Brimley visits Rapid River Friday.