Escanaba football lineman Colton Serpien (70) goes through pregame warmups before a game against Alpena on Oct. 18, 2024 at Escanaba Athletic Field in Escanaba. ("The Big Dog" Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

ESCANABA – After eight weeks of patient waiting, we finally have the game we’ve been waiting all season for.

Escanaba vs Gladstone.

The Eskymos and Braves are set to collide at 7 p.m. Friday inside the confines of Marble Athletic Field in Gladstone.

Here’s a quick guide of what to know and what to look for before Friday’s big game.

Escanaba

Record: 4-4

Best win: 47-0 over Alpena (Week 8)

Worst loss: 44-19 to Petoskey (Week 3)

Last win vs Gladstone: 2020, 20-12 in Gladstone

Gladstone

Record: 1-7

Best win: 36-20 over Hancock (Week 4)

Worst loss: 55-0 to No. 3 Marquette (Week 1)

Possesses three-game winning streak over Eskymos

Duel of the quarterbacks

It’s arguably the most important position on either side of the ball, and it’s going to be a big difference on Friday. Both quarterbacks are familiar to those who followed the 2024 baseball season with a close eye.

First, there’s Escanaba quarterback Nolan Bink. The junior is in his second year at the helm of the offense and can be a game changer with his right arm and his legs.

Then there’s Gladstone quarterback Austin Pepin. The senior did not start the season with the program, but a freak injury to first-string quarterback Trevor Thorbaun placed him the junior on the shelf for the season. After trying Mason Serpien (more on him later) and Casey Alworden at quarterback, Pepin joined the program to fill the void at quarterback.

This year is Pepin’s first year playing organized football since he was in the eighth grade. While the chemistry with receivers isn’t fully developed, Pepin, much like Bink, can make plays with his right arm and his legs.

House divided

Most rivalries tend to divide families. There’s always the one uncle who wears green and white into a household littered with fans of the University of Michigan.

Then there’s the Serpien household. Their house is divided this week in one of the most unique storylines of this historic and rich rivalry.

First there’s Colton Serpien, a defensive and offensive lineman for the Eskymos who wears No. 70, a student at Escanaba High School. Then there’s Mason Serpien, Colton’s younger brother who’s a junior at Escanaba Holy Name. However, Escanaba Holy Name co-ops in football with Gladstone, meaning Mason Serpien wears black and purple instead of orange and black on Friday nights.

The brothers will play against each other for the first time on Friday night.

“It’s definitely going to be fun,” Colton Serpien said of playing against his younger brother. “We’re always competitive, but at the end of the day we’re still brothers. But it’s going to be upsetting if I don’t tackle him.”

Players to watch

It’s hard not to mention senior wide receiver and return specialist Casey Alworden when talking about Gladstone football. Alworden already has a 99-yard kick return for a touchdown in a Week 2 loss to Negaunee this season and ran two kicks back in 2023, including last season’s opening kickoff against the Eskymos. There’s also Aaron Hughes, who was an All-U.P. Dream Team selection at left tackle and is also a menace on the defensive line. No. 75 must be accounted for at all times if Escanaba wants to establish a running game.

For the Eskymos, I love the ‘four horsemen” they have at running back with Keagan Braun, Gavin Wagnger, Brody Ison and Kaleb Gagne. But my favorite out of the bunch is the senior, Gagne. I love watching physical, downhill runners. Gagne is like a bull in a china shop when he’s able to hit the hole at full speed. He may not get a lot of carries due to him being an impact player at defensive end, but when Gagne gets the ball look for him to break multiple tackles to find the end zone.

I also like senior Wide receiver/linebacker Javon Stevenson. He’s around 6-foot 4 with a wing span that’s even longer. He’s a matchup problem at receiver, but I think he makes a bigger impact on defense. Look for Stevenson to make plays on both sides of the ball.

The deciding factor

Gladstone is 1-7. Escanaba is 4-4. A playoff berth for either team is unlikely, and with the GNC disbanding in football last season there’s no conference implications in this matchup.

So what is there to play for? Pride.

This rivalry dates back further to when these players, myself and probably you the reader weren’t even a thought. This game still has deep meaning to everyone involved. Either team can say their season is a success because they get a win here.

Whoever plays focused football for 48 minutes and wins the turnover battle will win.

Prediction

This is tough. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Gladstone played its game of the season and earned a win here. But Gladstone lacks depth at skill positions like receiver, running back and defensive back. Those are also positions where Esky is the deepest. And for that reason the Eskymos snap their three-game losing streak to the Braves.

Escanaba 41, Gladstone 20