Coutosey Photo Terra Ison

PETOSKEY– Escanaba’s aerial attack was too much for Petoskey to overcome as they fell 27-10 in a Big North Conference football game here Friday. Nolan Bink had three touchdown passes in the contest.

“The boys played unbelievable tonight,” Eskymos coach Bailey Lamb said. “Petoskey is a good, well coached team. Our boys were ready to play and they made the plays.”

The Eskymos got on the board first as Graham Johnson connected on a 34-yard field goal with 2:53 to go in the first quarter to put the Eskymos up 3-0.

Petoskey answered with a field goal of their own with seconds left in the first quarter to tie the game at three.

In the second quarter a kickoff return touchdown by sophomore Bryce Bichler appeared to give the Eskymos the lead but it was called back on a blindside block penalty.

The Eskymos got the offense clicking in the second quarter as Bink connected with senior Alex Stalboeger with 9:43 to go in the first half to put the Eskymos back in front 10-3.

Moments later Petoskey had its ensuing drive stalled when Escanaba senior Brian Boutillier came up with an interception with 7:12 to go in the first half.

The Eskymos took advantage of the turnover as Bink connected with junior Brody Ison with 5:34 to go in the first half to extend the Eskymos lead to 17-3 at halftime.

“It was a great throw,” Ison said. “He threw it right over the top and landed it in a good spot and got the score.”

Bink completed 13 of 19 passes for 127 yards and three TDs

With 8:05 to go in the third quarter, Bink connected with Ison for the second time in the game, this one from nine yards out, extending the Eskymos lead to 24-3.

“Nolan did a good job of picking up the blitz,” Ison said. “He made the open pass and it was a great throw.”

Petoskey got in the end zone with 2:25 to go in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 24-10.

In the fourth quarter, Graham Johnson sealed the game with a school record 41-yard field goal to put the Eskymos up 27-10.

“I knew I had the distance on the kick,” Johnson said. “The snap and hold were both good and it was great to get the record on a kick that was important to us.”

The Eskymos are now 3-0 for the first time since the 2019 season.

“We are getting ready for the Blue Devils,” Lamb said. “These guys are working very hard and they just won’t back down from anyone. They are full speed ahead ever play and every game.”

The Eskymos will be back in action Friday as they travel to Sault Ste Marie.