Bark River-Harris senior Troy Johnson (middle) carries the ball during a Division 8 district semifinal game against East Jordan on Nov. 1, 2024 at Boswell Stadium in East Jordan. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

EAST JORDAN — A valiant, physical playoff performance was spoiled as Bark River-Harris surrendered 26 points off four turnovers in a 34-14 district semifinal loss to East Jordan on Friday at East Jordan’s Boswell Stadium.

“It stings, because we’re right there,” BR-H coach Caleb Adams. Procedural penalties hurt us. Bad play calling hurt us, it was a learning experience for me. But I’m super proud of how the seniors played. I wouldn’t want to coach anybody else for my first season.”

With the score knotted at 8-8, Bark River-Harris faced a 1st-and-15 from its own 25-yard line with under four minutes until halftime. It was an opportunity for the Broncos, who were set to receive the second-half kickoff, to double up and possibly take a two-possession lead in the second half.

Then sophomore Dane Schmitt’s pass attempt was intercepted by EJ sophomore William Webb, who took it to the house for a pick 6. After a successful two-point try the Red Devils led 16-8.

The Broncos faced a 2nd-and-20 with under 100 seconds to go until intermission after Schmitt was flagged for intentional grounding after being hit as he attempted a first down pass. His next attempt was intercepted. Red Devils senior quarterback Korbyn Russell then connected with junior Max Beal on the ensuing play for an 18-yard passing touchdown as the Red Devils carried a 22-8 lead into the half.

But BR-H didn’t go away quietly. The Broncos marched down to the Red Devils 1-yard line to start the second half and had four tries to pull within one possession to start the game’s final half.

Troy Johnson was stopped for no gain on 1st-and-goal. Justin Bergquist was stymied on 2nd-and-goal. Johnson was stuffed again on 3rd-and-goal. The Broncos last gasp for the drive came on a 4th-and-goal from the Red Devils 1-yard line.

The ball went to Johnson. The Red Devils kept him inches short of the goal line.

A 17 play drive which ate 10:24 of clock resulted in zero points.

The Red Devils moved the ball up to their own 12-yard line and fed senior Logan Shooks on first down. But what no one in red and black saw coming was BR-H junior Jimmy Bovard, who ripped the ball out of Shooks’ hands and returned it to the EJ 8-yard line.

“That was the biggest rollercoaster,” Adams said. “Jimmy Bovard does Jimmy Bovard things and makes a play. Strips the ball from an All-State running back and almost returns it to the house. He’s a special player, and I’m glad he’s a junior.”

Two plays later Johnson crossed the goal line from 2-yards out. The Broncos couldn’t capitalize on the two-point conversion, but sophomore Gionni McDonough recovered the onside kick.

And in the blink of an eye, the Broncos trailed 22-14, bad the ball on the EJ 45-yard line and all the momentum in the world with 11:55 remaining.

“We knew they were going to be a good football team,” EJ coach Adam Grybauskas said. “They’re physical. They showed in film that they were going to come at you and run at you. That’s what they did. They’re a tough team.”

The Broncos ultimately moved to the Red Devils’ 40-yard line, but a fumble on 3rd-and-5 was scooped up by the home team. EJ scored five plays later to extend the lead to 28-14 with 7:41 to go.The ensuing BR-H drive resulted in Schmitt’s third interception of the game, which ultimately led to another Red Devils touchdown.

While Schmitt finished with three turnovers for the game, it was also the sophomore’s first taste of high pressure football.

“Dane was called up for a reason,” Adams said of the Broncos quarterback. “He’s the kind of kid that’s going to bounce back from this, learn from it. I expect a big season from him next year. It’s good to have him for the next two years.”

With the win the Red Devils advance to the district finals where they collide with Iron Mountain at 1 p.m. Saturday in Iron Mountain. It’s a matchup they’re excited for.

“It’s a special group,” Grybauskas said of the Red Devils. “Everybody says that, but they truly are. Just the young men that they are, they’re as high quality as they come. We get another week with them. We’ll take it and see where it goes.”

For the Broncos, the loss officially ends the 2024 season, the first under Adams which saw the program collect its sixth-straight season finishing .500 or better and its fifth playoff appearance in the last six seasons.

It was also the final game for 11 seniors, including Cam Adams, Caleb Adams’ younger brother.

“I’ve known these kids for a long time,” Caleb Adams said. “I wouldn’t want anybody else.”