Rapid River senior Ethan Harrison carries the ball to the outside during a game against Mid Peninsula on Oct. 4, 2024 at Mid Peninsula High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

ST. NICHOLAS — A dominant running performance by senior Ethan Harrison led Rapid River football to a 70-8 win over Mid Peninsula Friday. Harrison carried the ball five times for 268 yards and four scores.

“I knew I had to go to the outside,” Harrison said. “This is an incredible feeling but it would not have been possible without the play from our offensive line.”

Harrison found the end zone for the first time with 5:25 to go in the first quarter on a 64-yard touchdown run. The Rockets converted on the two-point attempt and led 8-0.

The Rockets led 16-0 when Harrison found the end zone for the second time with a 74-yard touchdown run and added the two-point conversion to give the Rockets a 24-0 lead.

The Wolverines drove the ball down the field behind the power running of senior Trey Micheau. But on 4th and goal from the one, Micheau was not able to break the plane, turning the ball over to the Rockets.

“I’m a big defensive guy,” Rockets assistant coach Joe Smith said. “It’s big getting a stop on fourth down but when it happens on the one that’s really awesome.”

Rockets quarterback Lane Olson took the ball to the five on a quarterback keeper to give the Rockets some breathing room. On 2nd and 5 from the five Harrison took the ball to the right and took it 95 yards to the house for his third score of the game and the Rockets led 30-0.

Harrison found the end zone again with 1:06 to go in the first half on a 23-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion failed and the Rockets led 36-8.

“We needed the win,” Rockets coach Steve Ostrenga said. “We needed to play good football and execute and not make mistakes and I feel we did a good job of that tonight.”

The Rockets also had Eddie Forslund run for three touchdowns in the second half as the Rockets took care of business.

The Rockets return to action on Friday as the host Brimley for homecoming. Mid Peninsula returns to action as they host Stephenson for homecoming.