EBEN JUNCTION — It was a tough afternoon on the gridiron for the Superior Central Cougars as they fell to the Brimley Bays 52-16 here Saturday.

This marked the first victory for head coach Tim Wilson as the Bays improved to 1-4.

“This is special,” he said. “This is the first complete game we’ve had. We have a good bunch of kids. We have a good passer and running backs.”

The Cougars (2-3) took an early 8-0 lead on this sunny and warm day before the Bays (1-4) tied the score on a 31-yard pass from junior quarterback Cooper Jones to classmate Gus VanSeggern with 4:20 remaining in the second quarter of this match-up.

On the Cougars’ next possession, senior Evan Evitts intercepted a pass on the Cougars’ 41-yard line.

The Bays then took a 16-8 lead on a six-yard run by Evitts 74 seconds before halftime.

Brimley added to its lead in the third frame when Jones intercepted a pass and returned it 70 yards to the house for a 22-8 advantage.

Jones then completed a 32-yard pass to senior Derick Carrick for a 30-8 cushion midway through the third.

With 38.7 seconds remaining in the third stanza, junior QB Will Spranger tossed a 46-yard aerial to the right side to junior Gavin Vining to bring the Cougars within 30-16.

The Bays took charge in the fourth stanza as they hiked their advantage to 38-16 on a 12-yard run up the middle by senior Terin Forrester.

“We had some injuries and didn’t have enough depth today,” Cougars’ coach Todd Spranger said. “We had our third string center in there. Although he did a pretty good job, he was forced to go both ways. He’s not used to that. We had many guys doing things they weren’t used to. Our physicality couldn’t keep up with theirs. They had some nice passes and were strong up the middle.”

After Jones returned an interception to the Cougars’ 18-yard line, freshman Isaak Morrison provided the Bays with an 11-yard touchdown run for a 46-16 advantage with 9:24 left to play.

Brimley completed the scoring on Jones’ 23-yard aerial to Vonseggern with 4:45 remaining.

“We kept the energy,” Wilson said. “At halftime, we told the kids the game wasn’t over. This is a boost for us right now.”

Both teams play again Friday. The Cougars visit Rapid River and the Bays host AuGres-Sims.