EBEN JUNCTION — The Superior Central Cougars broke in their new turf while earning a 40-30 football triumph over the Ironwood Red Devils here Saturday.

“Last year our field was nearly unplayable,” Cougars’ junior quarterback Will Spranger said. “I can’t thank our booster club and athletic director enough for their support. This makes for better footing and playing conditions. Our determination made the difference. This was bigtime motivation for us. We got sacked pretty good at Pickford (58-0 on Aug. 28).”

As a dejected group of Red Devils walked off the field, the Cougars dashed to the front of the school to ring the victory bell on this sunny and warm afternoon.

Although the Cougars (2-1) got a win by forfeit over Rock Mid Peninsula Sept. 6, this marked the first victory on the field for head coach Todd Spranger.

“Both teams brought it,” he said. “There were some hard hits in this game. This is a huge confidence builder. This was also a big bounce back from our loss at Pickford. I wasn’t afraid. We took a big step forward.”

Junior running back Gavin Vining sealed the verdict on a 40-yard touchdown run with 39.4 seconds remaining and junior linebacker Aidan Korpi put an exclamation point on the victory with an interception 17 seconds later.

“It felt great,” Vining said. “I wasn’t tired anymore. I was full of energy at that point. They’re a good opponent. This is our first varsity victory in two years. Everybody is playing with confidence on our team.”

Ironwood (1-2) took a 30-24 lead on a 37-yard pass from senior QB Brendan McCullough to senior receiver Eli Ruotsala with 7:02 left in the contest.

The Cougars regained the lead (32-30) on Korpi’s 60-yard punt return at 4:40.

Superior Central trailed 22-18 at halftime, but took a 24-22 lead on Vining’s 15-yard run to the left side early in the fourth quarter.

The Red Devils controlled the ball for more than eight minutes to begin the third stanza before turning the ball over on downs at the Cougars’ 20-yard line.

In the opening frame, Superior Central got a golden opportunity when the Red Devils lost a fumble on their own 17.

Will Spranger then tossed a 17-yard TD pass to Valima for a 12-6 lead at 2:59 on the next play.

Ironwood got a safety on an intentional grounding penalty in the Cougars’ end zone, shaving its deficit to 12-8 just 18 seconds into the second stanza.

The Red Devils then went ahead 14-12 on McCullough’s 25-yard aerial to senior Nick Miskovich with 4:11 left in the second frame.

Just 24 seconds later, Will Spranger threw a pass to Vining for a 71-yard TD, giving the Cougars an 18-14 lead.

Ironwood regained the lead (22-18) on McCullough’s three-yard pass to senior Ethan Gallo 13.4 seconds before halftime.

Neither team scored again until the fourth quarter.

“We saw their game with Carney-Nadeau on film and noticed some things we could take advantage of ,” Will Spranger said.

The Cougars travel to Bessemer to face fifth-ranked Gogebic Friday. The Red Devils host second-ranked Norway Friday.

“I’m assuming that will be another hard-hitting game,” coach Spranger said. “It seemed like they (Red Devils) were slowing down a little. We felt we could move the ball. I think the warm weather was a factor. Our overtime conditioning paid off.”