GLADSTONE — The Gladstone Braves were unable to stop No. 1 Menominee’s balanced offensive attack here Friday night, dropping a 49-7 football decision to the top-ranked Maroons.

Menominee ran for 184 yards and passed for 176 in this WestPAC Conference Copper Division contest .

The victory enabled the Maroons to improve to 6-0 overall and 5-0 league while outscoring their opponents 317-38 this season.

“We have depth at running back and receiver,” Menominee coach Chad Brandt said. “We have a lot of different guys we can give the ball to. They took a few things away from us, but we adjusted and were able to make up for it. I thought we were pretty solid tonight. We were aggressive.”

Menominee marched 59 yards in six plays during its opening drive, taking a 7-0 lead on junior quarterback Tanner Theuerkauf’s 11-yard pass to junior Dawson Bardowski.

Junior Clayton Miller, who converted on all seven extra points, added a two-yard touchdown run up the middle for a 14-0 cushion with 3:20 remaining in the opening frame.

Theuerkauf then provided the Maroons with a five-yard TD run around right end for a 21-point advantage with 54 seconds left in the first quarter.

“Obviously, they’re a good team,” Braves’ coach Craig Ness said. “They take care of the ball and they’re strong on the blocks. They do everything well.”

The Maroons made it 28-0 on a one-yard dive by senior running back Isaiah Odom with 8:28 remaining in the second.

Gladstone took advantage of three penalties on its scoring drive, climaxed on a 10-yard run to the left side by senior Isaac Ketchum at 2:59.

“The offensive line gave us time to throw and Isaac had a nice run to finish the drive,” Ness said. “That was just a glimpse of what we can do when we do it right. The effort we gave tonight, we can build on. Every kid gave it his all and that’s all we can ask.”

Menominee answered on its next possession, gaining a 35-7 cushion on a 45-yard TD pass to junior Blake Paasch with 1:12 left in the second.

In the third quarter, Theuerkauf completed a 11-yard TD pass to Bardowski for a 42-7 advantage.

Sophomore back-up QB Dylan Beal then completed the scoring a two-yard pass to junior wide receiver Maverick Geniesse midway through the fourth.

“I thought Gladstone played hard all night,” Brandt said. “Credit to them. They had a nice drive in the second quarter. If they keep playing hard, they can win some games.”

The Braves were outgained 360-156 in total offense. They rushed for 101 yards and Pepin hit 7-of-15 aerials for 51 yards.

Ketchum was Gladstone’s leading rusher with 51 yards on nine carries. Senior Evan Woelffer added 37 in five attempts.

Theuerkauf ran nine times for 68 yards and two TDs and finished 11-of-15 passing for 170 yards and two scores.

Both teams are on the road Friday with Gladstone traveling to Houghton and Menomiee visiting No. 4 Negaunee.