Photo: Victoria Coppock

RAPID RIVER — There was plenty of offense to go around in an eight-player football game here Friday night.

Although Felch North Dickinson got the better of it in a 64-38 victory, Rapid River made things interesting for a short time.

After falling behind 16-0 early in this contest, the Rockets tied the score at 16 on junior quarterback Lane Olson’s nine-yard pass to junior running back Joseph Thorbahn with 1:32 left in the first quarter.

The fourth-ranked Nordics (5-0) answered just 62 seconds later on a 45-yard dash by junior Jason Graham for a 24-16 lead.

North Dickinson extended its lead to 30-16 on a four-yard run around left end early in the second stanza.

Senior Tyler Fleming added a two-yard touchdown run around left end for a 36-16 advantage with 2:43 remaining in the second.

The Rockets (2-3) put together a methodical 10-play, 60-yard drive to begin the third frame, shaving their deficit to 36-24 on Olson’s 20-yard pass to sophomore end Hayden Kee at 6:43.

“We battled back,” Rockets’ coach Steve Ostrenga said. “We had a play right before the half which we thought was a touchdown, only the call didn’t go our way. That hurt us, but we came out with a nice drive to start the second half. The guys kept working hard. We’ve got to clean some things up, but for the most part we’re happy with our effort. Our kids did a nice job. We’re improving.”

The Nordics made it 42-24 on junior Brady Jungwirth’s 43-yard aerial through the middle to junior Trenton Kramer 57 seconds later.

Jungwirth added a TD on a 40-yard keeper around left end and a four-yard pass to sophomore Toby Fleming for another score late in the third.

Senior Colten Roberts ended North Dickinson’s scoring on a 14-yard run early in the fourth.

Rapid River got a 12-yard TD run from senior Greg Taylor and sophomore QB Brennan Kee threw for 10-yard score to freshman Corey Boston-Marsh.

The Nordics marched 58 yards in seven plays on their opening drive, capped by a five-yard TD pass from Jungwirth to Kramer.

They added another score on Jungwirth’s eight-yard pass to the left to senior Ty King midway through the first.

“In 35 years of coaching, our quarterback might be the smartest player I’ve coached,” Nordics’ coach Mike Christian said. “Our guys up front did a very good job which is so important. The guys we have do just about everything we ask. We’ve had success running and throwing the ball.”

Rapid River took advantage of a short field in their first scoring drive for a 16-0 advantage.

The Rockets, starting on the Nordics’ 31-yard line, shaved their deficit in half Olson’s nine-yard pass to senior end Jared Huskey.

Brennan Kee then set the Rockets up with another opportunity with a fumble recovery, enabling them set up shop at the Nordics’ 36 to start their second scoring drive.

Rapid River finished with 354 yards in total offense, including 194 on the ground. Freshman Coen Smith gained 70 on just four carries. Thorbahn added 55 in 16 attempts and Taylor ran twice for 48.

Olson, showing ability to buy time, completed 18-of-36 passes for 150. Five of his aerials went to junior Rowan Flath for 56.

“Their passing game is very solid,” Christian said. “Last year he (Olson) was a little scared, but he did a great job tonight. Tyler (Fleming) had a back injury. This is basically the first time we put him in.”

Rapid River hosts Superior Central Friday.

The Nordics, who host Stephenson Friday, collected 431 yards. They rushed for 230 and passed for 201.

Jungwirth threw for 191 yards with five going to Kramer for 108. He also ran nine times for 87. Graham was North Dickinson’s leading rusher, gaining 119 on 14 carries