North Central sophomore Kayden Dodson (24) takes it in for a touchdown against Gaylord St. Mary on Nov. 2, 2024 at North Central High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

SPALDING — The Powers North Central Jets haven’t needed much help from other eight-player football teams this season.

They gladly accepted it here Saturday, however, while playing the role of the opportunist in a 58-0 rout of Gaylord St. Mary Cathedral in a Division 2 regional opener.

The No. 2 ranked Jets (9-1) will take a nine-game winning streak to Crystal Falls where they’ll face the No. 3 Forest Park Trojans (9-1) in a regional championship game Friday at 6 p.m. (CST).

St. Mary turned the ball over seven times with the Jets cashing in on six on this sunny and seasonably cool afternoon.

“All games are going to be physical at this point in the season,” Jets’ coach Leo Gorzinski said. “There’s also going to be a lot of nerves. It’s always nice to have home field advantage. We knew a lot of their guys were dinged up and hurting which I’m sure led to that number of turnovers.”

Freshman Myles Nehring collected 13 tackles, including seven solo and three for losses.

“Myles no longer plays like a freshman,” Gorzinski said. “Our guys came off the ball hard and fast. I don’t think they were used to people attacking them the way we do. Our defensive line was able to stop them.”

Sophomore Kaden Malone scored on a 10-yard touchdown run around right end on the final play of the first half for a 46-0 advantage on the final play of the first half.

That score was set up on an interception return to the Snowbirds’ seven-yard line by senior Jordan Walters.

In the third quarter, senior Aidyn Burton recovered a fumble on the St. Mary 20. Senior quarterback Lane Gorzinski scored on the next play, giving the Jets a 52-point advantage.

Malone concluded the scoring on a two-yard run up the middle late in the third.

“Turnovers kill us,” Snowbirds’ coach Kevin O’Connell said. “They used a simple scheme and it worked very well. They’re a good defensive team. They get off the ball well. We need to work on our schemes. We have a lot of young kids. We’ll get better.”

North Central marched 55 yards on eight plays in its opening drive, climaxed on a 13-yard TD run by Lane Gorzinski for an 8-0 lead.

A short time later, Gorzinski recovered a fumble at the St. Mary one and Malone raised the count to 16-0 on a dash around left end.

Gorzinski added a one-yard TD run up the middle on a keeper and sophomore Kayden Dodson added another score on a 33-yard fumble recovery return for a 32-0 cushion with 3:24 left in the opening frame.

An 18-yard pass from Gorzinski to senior Spencer Willa gave North Central a 39-0 advantage on the first play of the second quarter.

St. Mary reached the Jets’ 29 before turning the ball over on downs on its next drive.

A few plays later, a high snap from center gave the Snowbirds possession on the Jets’ five.

The Snowbirds, however, lost the ball on a fumble, recovered by Lane Gorzinski at their three midway through the second.

“I’m a little surprised by the final score,” North Central junior Ben Stage said. “I thought it would be a little closer. They looked pretty big on film, but I think our speed helped us. Kaden is fast and Lane is a different type of back. Myles has been playing good lately. He’s a big help in our line and Spencer is a beast out there. It’s hard to bring him down.”

The Jets collected 250 yards in total offense, including 161 on the ground. Lane Gorzinski led the way with 91 on 11 carries. Malone added 69 in nine attempts and Stage ran four times for 43.

Lane Gorzinski hit 8 of 11 passes for 72 yards and Stage hit 3-of-7 for 17.

Freshman Logan Greenier led the Snowbirds in rushing with 17 carries for 94 yards. Nathan O’Connell connected on 1-of-3 aerials for 29. They finished with 126 yards in total offense.

“Logan is an unselfish player,” coach O’Connell said. “He’d rather block than run. It’s nice to see him get rewarded.”