Menominee juniors Tanner Theuerkauf (3) and Dustin Bardowski (12) celebrate a Theuerkauf touchdown during a MHSAA Division 7 district semifinal game against Houghton Lake on Nov. 20, 2024 at Walton Blesch Field in Menominee. ("The Big Dog" Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

MENOMINEE — With a shade over four minutes left in the first half, Menominee faced a 4th-and-21 from Houghton Lake’s 40-yard line.

Junior quarterback Tanner Theuerkauf dropped back to pass, scanning the field in hopes of keeping the drive alive. He found junior Nathan Komp wide open, fired the ball and connected for a gain of 32 yards and a first down. Senior Isaiah Odom scored from two yards out two plays later.

This is one of multiple examples of how Menominee’s offense dominated Saturday’s district semifinal matchup against the Bobcats. The Maroons seemingly did whatever they pleased on offense in a 62-6 win at Walton Blesch Field.

“There was definitely a step up by our guys from last week to this week,” Menominee coach Chad Brandt said. “Kudos to the leadership we have. Kudos to every man in the locker room and our coaches.”

The Maroons wasted little time jumping ahead out of the gate when junior Clayton Miller rumbled 27 yards for a touchdown. It was 7-0 Menominee after a three play, 52-yards drive.

On their next possession Theuerkauf rolled to his right, broke multiple tackles and dashed 64 yards for a touchdown.

On the Maroons next offensive play after forcing the Bobcats’ third punt of the game up to that point, which was nearly blocked, Theuerkauf fired a 30-yard dime to junior Blake Paasch for a 21-0 lead.

The Bobcats came up empty on 4th-and-1 on the ensuing drive, their second four-and-out of the game. Theuerkauf then found Komp for a 26-yard touchdown.

With 1:11 left in the first quarter Menominee found itself ahead 28-0. It also ran a whopping total of six offensive plays.

“It starts with the offensive line,” Theuerkauf said. “They were blocking so well. I really love those guys, they do it right all the time. I can’t tell them enough how Thankful I am for them.”

The Maroons didn’t stop there. Miller found the endzone once again, bolting 37 yards for a 35-0 lead with 9:21 to go in the second.

Menominee later pieced together a nine play, 53-yard drive capped with Odom’s two-yard dash and turned a Bobcats interception into a Theuerkauf 27-yard touchdown pass to Dustin Bardowski to take a 49-6 lead at the break.

Sophomore Caleb Barstow added to the advantage by taking the second half’s opening kickoff the length of the field for a touchdown. A second Bobcats interception led to sophomore Dylan Beal scoring from one yard out for a 62-6 advantage.

The Bobcats lone scoring drive started with a play that left Menominee fans speechless.

Houghton Lake started its drive with 9:21 remaining in the second quarter at its own 35-yard line. Junior quarterback Shawn Skocelas heaved a deep throw on first down. Theuerkauf had a jump on the pass, getting his hands on the ball for a deflection.

But the ball didn’t hit the ground. It landed in the hands of a waiting Bobcat’s receiver for a chunk play which set up a first down at the Menominee 32-yard line. Skocelas successfully hurled a deep pass to Tyler Bailey on 4th-and-5 for Houghton Lake’s lone touchdown.

The Bobcats did outgain the Maroons in the air 162-135. But Menominee won the rushing battle 207-32. The Bobcats earned -5 rushing yards at halftime.

“I was pleased that the guys came out with the energy that they did,” Brandt said. “It does take another level of intensity. Our guys brought it. Very happy with the guys’ level of urgency to pick it up and say ‘this is playoff time.'”

Now the Maroons continue their quest to return to Ford Field at 1 p.m. Saturday. The opponent is none other than Division 7 juggernaut Traverse City St Francis.

The Gladiators finished the 2024 regular season at 6-3 and earned a 41-16 win over Charlevoix in the semifinal round. But similar to Menominee, St Francis also possesses deep rooted success, tradition and pride.

Since 2000, the Gladiators have 17 district titles, 12 regional titles, 12 state semifinal appearances, seven state title game appearances and four state championships. They are also 13-5 against U.P. teams in playoff games during that stretch, outsourcing U.P. opponents 538-237.

But none of those 18 games were against Menominee.

“They’re a big time program,” Theuerkauf said. “I know we have to come all play our best game. They’re going to be tough. We just have to have a good week of practice.”