MARQUETTE — None of this year’s football players at Felch North Dickinson High School were around when the Nordics made their first trip to the state finals.

It was 1998 when the Nordics traveled to the Pontiac Silverdome where they dropped a 26-8 decision to Fowler in a Class D state final.

The Nordics made a second trip possible by outlasting Onekama 44-28 in an eight-player, Division 2 state semifinal contest here Saturday. The Portagers finished 11-1.

They won’t have to travel nearly as far this time.

The Nordics will be inside Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome to face Portland St. Patrick (12-0) in a 2 p.m. (EST) contest.

The Nordics executed a fake punt in a fourth-and-22 situation and turned it into a 64-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Brady Jungwirth to junior Trenton Kramer, who dashed from near midfield into the end zone for the game’s final TD with 8:57 left in the contest.

“There was a sense of relief when we scored on that play,” Nordics’ coach Mike Christian said. “We wanted to gain some yardage, at least enough for a first down, and we scored which was better yet. This is an amazing boost for our program. Winning this game puts everything in perspective for our younger guys. This shows them what it takes.”

Onekama got within 36-28 on senior QB Andrew Hybza’s 63-yard aerial to senior wide receiver Tyler Hart just 31 seconds into the fourth quarter.

The Nordics grabbed a seemingly-comfortable 36-14 advantage early in the third stanza when Jungwirth scrambled to his right and found senior Tyler Fleming open in the end zone for a 14-yard TD pass.

Onekama answered on its next drive, shaving its deficit to 36-20 on a 24-yard run by freshman Bennett Zeller with 3:08 remaining in the third.

The contest was knotted at 14 late in the second quarter before the Nordics scored twice in the final nine seconds before the intermission.

Junior running back Jason Graham’s two-yard run up the middle gave the Nordics a 22-14 lead.

The Portagers then fumbled the ensuing kickoff, which was recovered by Graham on their seven-yard line.

On the next play, Jungwirth tossed a seven-yard to Fleming on the left side for a 28-14 halftime cushion.

The Nordics started their opening possession in the shadows of their goalpost, then were forced to punt from their end zone into a stiff breeze coming off Lake Superior.

A short punt to their 20 provided the Portagers with a golden scoring opportunity.

North Dickinson’s defense stiffened, however, forcing Onekama to turn the ball over on downs at the 21.

The Nordics, making use of their short passing game, marched 79 yards and took an 8-0 lead on Jungwirth’s 16-yard pass to Graham with 1:41 left in the opening frame.

Onekama needed just 17 seconds to answer, tying the score on Hybza’s 58-yard bomb to senior Tyler Hart on the right side.

Graham’s 21-yard run off left tackle put the Nordics back in front 14-8 at 8:03.

Onekama again tied the score on Hybza’s 56-yard aerial to senior Luke Bradford with 4:57 left in the second, setting the stage for North Dickinson’s quick scores before the half.

“We didn’t deserve to win today,” Onekama coach Justin Sedelmaier said. “We had all the opportunities, but they played a perfect game. Although, I’m super proud of the effort. We battled to the end. We still had a great season.”

The Nordics lost Fleming to a dislocated wrist in the fourth quarter.

“We’re going to take it home for him,” Nordics’ senior Ty King said. “This feels so good. Last year we came short of the playoffs. We hit the weight room and did everything we needed to do. Our community support is awesome. It’s nice to hear our fans.”

The Nordics gained 413 yards in total offense, including 211 on the ground. Graham ran 30 times for 147. Jungwirth connected on his first 14 passes, finishing 16-of-18 for 202 yards and two TDs and two interceptions. Kramer caught seven for 138 and Graham had seven receptions for 58.

Onekama gained 228 of its 337 yards through the air. Hart grabbed three aerials for 95 and rushed for 74 on just two carries. Bradford caught four passes for 84.