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GWINN -- Dennis Cannoot enjoyed a successful varsity coaching debut here Thursday as the Gladstone Braves posted a 30-6 football victory over the Gwinn Modeltowners.
Junior running back Wyatt Forvilly had a big night in this non-conference contest, rushing for 255 yards on 20 carries.
"This feels great," Cannoot said. "Wyatt is an X-factor for sure. We had a lot of great things from a lot of guys and I'm thankful and proud to be part of it. I appreciate all the support I got from the community."
This also marked Gwinn's return to varsity football after missing last season due to low numbers.
The Braves put the game out of reach in the final two minutes, 25 seconds on a five-yard run up the middle by senior Cooper Sanville.
Gladstone led 22-0 late in the third quarter until sophomore running back Evan Armatti got the Modeltowners on the board with a 62-yard bomb to junior wide receiver Gage Jones with 54 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Braves appeared to be in position to put the contest out of reach on their next drive before losing a fumble on the Gwinn 18-yard line.
Gwinn senior halfback Quade Weiland, who scooped up the loose ball, then dashed to the 50.
Moments later the Braves were flagged for a penalty which gave the Modeltowners the ball on their 35.
The Modeltowners reached the four-yard line. The Braves' defense stiffened, however, forcing them to turn the ball over on downs at the five.
"We had a great stop down there," Cannoot said. "That was a great stop by (Andrew) Karl. That was a big momentum changer."
The Braves opened the scoring on junior Landon Pepin's 12-yard keeper around left end with 3:36 remaining in the opening frame.
Sanville gave Gladstone a 16-0 on a 12-yard run around right end midway through the second.
Forvilly then made it a three-score game with 2:35 left in the third on a 42-yard dash off left tackle.
"The guys are hungry," Gwinn coach Derek Nystrom said. "We had some opportunities. We got inside the five twice and the 20 three times, but got no points. The guys are confident. They know they're talented. Our passing game is our strength. Our running game is what we need to improve. This was the first varsity game for everybody except for number 61 (junior guard Brayden Couture)."
Couture had a quarterback sack for Gwinn, which finished with 173 yards in total offense.
The Modeltowners got 142 yards through the air. Junior QB Peyton Bell hit 12-of-28 aerials for 81. Jones caught three passes for 86.
"I'm proud of the effort," Nystrom said. "The guys fought to the very end. Their long drives took away any momentum we had."
Gladstone, which kept the ball on the ground for the most part, ran for 330 yards. Cooper rushed for 59 on four carries and Pepin was 3-of-4 passing for 34.
The Braves travel to Negaunee Friday and Gwinn visits Bark River-Harris Thursday.
"Negaunee has a great coaching staff and good players," Cannot said. "They're going to be a challenge."