Gladstone senior Mason Sierpien runs with the ball against Kingsford on Sept. 12, 2025 at marble Athletic Field. (Sophie Vogelmann/Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — The Gladstone Braves were unable to climb out of a deep hole here Friday night as they dropped a 25-13 football decision to the Kingsford Flivvers.

Gladstone, which trailed 23-7 at halftime in this WestPAC Conference Copper Division match-up, dropped to 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the league. Kingsford improved to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in the conference.

The Braves got on the board 22 seconds before halftime on a four-yard pass from junior quarterback Cooper Sanville to junior wide receiver Aiden Burie.

“We played very well in the second half, but showed up too late,” Braves’ coach Craig Ness said. “We shot ourselves in the foot in the first half. They did a couple things to confuse us and put us in bad spots.”

Kingsford senior Jack Kriegl grabbed the opening kickoff and dashed 53 yards to Gladstone’s 21.

The Flivvers then needed seven plays to find the end zone, taking a 7-0 lead on Kreigl’s six-yard pass to junior wide receiver Gaige Sorenson.

Gladstone junior Miles Vitito returned the ensuing kickoff to the Kingsford 47.

The Braves were unable to capitalize, however, turning the ball over on downs at the 45.

Kingsford added its second TD on Kriegl’s 34-yard dash to the right side for a 14-0 cushion with 3:58 remaining in the opening frame.

Early in the second, Sanville threw the ball away to avoid being sacked in the end zone which resulted in a safety for the Flivvers, enabling them to push their lead to 16-0.

Kingsford’s advantage grew to 23-0 with 3:05 left in the second when Kriegl scrambled to his left and threw a 42-yard bomb to junior Blake Tomasoski.

“I thought we were in a good spot,” Kingsford coach Mark Novara said. “We were moving the ball, then I think we got complacent. We’re a good football team, but not a great one. We have to play with high intensity or we’re going to get beat.”

Kingsford marched to the Gladstone 15 in the third quarter, but the Braves’ defense stiffened and forced the Flivvers to turn the ball over on downs.

Midway through the fourth, Gereau got tackled for another safety, giving Kingsford a 25-7 advantage.

On the game’s last play, Gereau broke off left tackle for a five-yard TD run.

“The kids didn’t quit,” Ness said. “Hopefully, this will help the boys keep their desire to play the game. We would really like to have a game next week. Our seniors earned the right to play a nine-game schedule which is why we picked up Durand in the first week. Hopefully, we’ll play.

Hancock (0-3), which has been struggling with low numbers, visits Marble Athletic Field for the Braves’ homecoming game Friday.

Gereau continued to be Gladstone’s workhorse, rushing 15 times for 75 yards. The Braves finished with 94 on the ground and Sanville was 9-of-21 passing for 77 yards. Four of his aerials went to Burie for 50. The Braves finished with 171 yards in total offense.

Kingsford collected 294 yards, including 177 on the ground.

Kriegl completed 9-of-15 passes for 97 yards and two TDs and ran a dozen times for 92. Senior running back Ian Spencer gained 76 on 17 carries.

“Jack is our heart and soul,” Novara said. “We need more from these guys. We’re a young football team that has to do a lot of learning. Sometimes we’ll get a real nice drive and fumble. That’s not winning football.”

The Flivvers hit the road Friday to visit third-ranked Negaunee (2-1) which fell to fourth-ranked Calumet 33-18 this weekend.