Bark River-Harris pose for a photo after after defeatin Iron Mountain on Nov. 7, 2025 at Bark River-Harris School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

HARRIS — A dominant rushing attack led the Bark River-Harris Broncos to a 41-20 victory over the Iron Mountain Mountaineers in a district three championship game here Friday. The Broncos as a team rushed for 450 yards, led by junior Giovanni McDonough who carried the ball 18 times for 229 yards and two touchdowns.

“It feels good to be in this moment,” McDonough said. “It’s big for the community that comes out every night and supports us and to win the district title on our home field is very rewarding.”

The Broncos got on the board first after junior Ben Knauf picked off Iron Mountain quarterback Brayden Kassin. Andrew Johnson capped off the Broncos drive with a one-yard TD run through the middle of the defense to put the Broncos up 8-0.

With 1:55 to go in the first quarter McDonough took the ball off right tackle and went 92 yards to the house to extend the Broncos lead to 16-0.

“The play looked a little choppy at the start,” McDonough said. “I saw the hole open up and I only had to break one tackle and took it the distance.”

McDonough scored again with :15 to go in the first quarter on a 32-yard TD set up by another interception by Kassin to extend the Broncos lead to 24-0.

The Mountaineers got on the board with 2:34 to go in the first half on a six-yard TD tun by Kassin two-point conversion was good and the deficit was cut to 24-8.

The Broncos took the ball quickly down the field and scored on a 32-yard field goal by Dane Schmitt with :15 to go in the half to send the Broncos into the halftime break up 27-8.

The Mountaineers scored first in the second half with 8:58 to go in the third quarter on a 20-yard TD pass to Charles Anderson to cut the deficit to 27-14.

With 4:48 to go in the third quarter, junior Ethan Oswald took it 30yards up the middle for a touchdown extending the Broncos lead to 35-14.

Iron Mountain found their way back to the endzone with 2:24 to go in the third quarter as Kassin connected with Anderson on a 37-yard TD pass to cut the deficit to 35-20.

“We started making plays in the second half,” Mountaineers coach Kyle Johnson said. “Our quarterback did some good things for us. We could have laid down, but we kept fighting. They’re a good football team. We need to keep getting stronger in the weight room and become more physical.”

Andrew Johnson capped off the scoring as he took it in from four yards out with 9:13 to go in the game.

“It is tough to beat a team three times in a season,” Broncos coach Caleb Adams said. “We have been in that position the last two weeks and now we get to go play Maple City Glen Lake and we are excited for the opportunity.”

The Broncos forced three turnovers and converted them into 16 points including an interception in the endzone by senior Brayden Derouin to end a potential scoring drive by Iron Mountain.

“That interception was awesome,” Derouin said. “I saw the ball in the air and tipped it and was able to make the grab to end the drive.”

Andy Johnson also hit the century mark as he carried the ball 27 times for 154 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

The Broncos will travel to Maple City Friday for the regional semifinal matchup.