Escanaba junior Nolan Bink (4, white jersey) breaks free to tackles during a game against Gladstone on Oct. 25, 2024 at Marble Athletic Field in Gladstone. ("The Big Dog" Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — Few games in the Upper peninsula stack up to the magnitude of Escanaba vs Gladstone.

It’s a rivalry which dates back multiple generations with a rich, deep history. Friday’s collision between the Eskymos and Braves served as the latest chapter in battles between the Delta County foes.

In the 2024 matchup, turnovers proved to be the deciding factor. In this case, Gladstone coughed up the ball four times as Escanaba ended a three-game losing skid to the Braves with a 50-7 win inside the confines of Marble Athletic Field.

“It feels good,” Esky senior Alex Morgan said of the win. “Getting this win was big.”

Gladstone (1-8) won the opening coin toss and deferred. It also caught the Eskymos (5-4) off guard as the Braves recovered the opening kick-off to set up shop at the Esky 48 yard line.

With momentum on their side and the ball inside enemy territory the Braves had their hometown crowd out of their seats out of the gate.

Then senior quarterback Austin Pepin, who assumed duties as signal caller after not playing since his eighth grade season early in the 2024 season, hurled an interception to Esky junior Keagan Braun, who returned the ball to the Braves’ 25-yard line.

A 20-yard scamper from junior quarterback Nolan Bink set up sophomore Brody Ison to score from 1-yard out. With a successful PAT attempt from Graham Johnson Esky led 7-0 less than a minute into the contest.

Braves turnovers turning into Eskymo point continued to be a common theme on Friday.

With the Braves finding momentum with 1st-and-10 from the Esky 40, Pepin turned the ball over again. This time it was senior Javon Stevenson who ran it to the house for a score, but a flag flew due to a block in the back. Esky set up shop at the Braves’ 38-yard line and scored when Bink connected with Johnson for a 12-yard passing score and a 21-0 lead.

The Braves then found themselves back up at their own 33 facing a 2nd-and-20. The toss exchange between Pepin and Evan Woelffer was botched with the ball landing on the grass and recovered by the Eskymos.

Eight plays later junior Gavin Wagner got the rock on 4th-and-1 from the Braves 6-yard line. He got the one yard he needed to keep the drive alive. He also got five more as he crossed the plane for a 28-0 lead with 4:09 left in the first half.

Esky junior Brian Boutilier came up with an interception late in the third quarter. The fourth turnover of the game set up a seven-play, 54-yard drive capped off by Bink connecting with senior Adam Prey to take the deciding 50-7 lead.

Bink continued his strong junior season with a total of five touchdowns in the win. Bink also connected with Alex Stalboerger for a 44-yard score for a 14-0 lead and found Stevenson for a score with 32 seconds left in the first half. Johnson connected with Ashton Rymkos on a fake PAT attempt for a 36-0 lead at intermission.

Bink connected with Rymkos from six yards out for a 43-7 lead midway through the third quarter.

“It feels good, especially beating Gladstone,” Morgan said. “I hope we can make it into the playoffs, just sneak in, get one more week. But if this is it thanks to the coaches, especially them. And my teammates. I love them all.”

Gladstone’s lone touchdown came in the closing moments of the first half. Pepin connected with senior Nehemiah Blair for a 12-yard score to make it 36-7 at the break. It was a drive where Esky committed 27 yards of penalties.

The Eskymos entered the season with a few goals. One was to make the playoffs.

That goal hangs in the balance. The Eskymos are not mathematically eliminated from the Division 4 playoff picture, but do need help in punching their ticket to Week 10. That fate will be determined at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

The Eskymos also had two other goals. Have a winning season and defeat Gladstone.

Both were accomplished on Friday.

“They’re so proud of themselves,” Esky coach Bailey Lamb said of the Eskymos. “It was such an emotional moment.”

Box Score

Escanaba — Total offense 397 yards (204 rushing, 193 passing)

Rushing — Nolan Bink 12-93, Kaleb Gagne 11-57, Brody Ison 8-37, Gavin Wagner 1-6, Demitrious Jacques 1-1

Passing — Nolan Bink 16-22, 191 yards, five touchdowns

Receptions — Graham Johnson 5-63, Alex Stahlboerger 1-45, Ashton Rymkos 2-26, Evan Johnson 2-18, Javon Stevenson 1-17, Adem Prey 2-13, Kaleb Gagne 1-9, Brody Ison 1-2,

Gladstone — Total offense 129 yards (102 rushing, 27 passing)

Rushing — Isaac Ketchum 17-81, Evan Woelffer 4-8, Casey Alworden 2-7, Mason Sierpien 1-2.

Passing — Austin Pepin 3-10, 27 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions

Receiving — Nehemiah Blair 1-12, Mason Sierpien 1-8, Casey Alworden 1-7.