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ISHPEMING -- The Stephenson Eagles had issues with Ishpeming's potent ground attack in an 80-42 eight-player football loss here Saturday afternoon.
Ishpeming finished with 647 yards in total offense, with much of that coming on the ground.
The teams combined for 17 touchdowns, including 11 by the Hematites.
Junior running back Derek Meyer ran 24 times for 282 yards and five TDs in this non-conference contest.
"They ran hard," Eagles' coach Logan Carlson said. "We knew they had a lot of fast guys and were quick. They're a very physical team. They were calling audibles on the line of scrimmage and adjusting which is something you don't see very often in eight-man football. They're very disciplined. We knew we couldn't afford to make mistakes."
Ishpeming led 20-14 after the first quarter, then executed an onside kick which was recovered by junior Brayden Longstaff at the 50-yard line.
On the first play of the second stanza, sophomore quarterback Kian Gauthier broke off right tackle for a 10-yard TD run and the Hematites were up 28-14.
Less than two minutes later, freshman defensive back Madden Gauthier intercepted a pass at the Ishpeming 43.
Meyer then scored on a 32-yard run along the right sideline and the Hematites were enjoying a 36-14 lead with 9:34 left in the second frame.
The Eagles answered just 15 seconds later when senior QB Nolan Ruleau fired a 67-yard TD pass to Brock Motto, enabling them to shave their deficit to 36-20.
Meyer added a 38-yard TD run off right tackle and Kian Gauthier added a two-yard TD run around right end and it was 50-20.
Ruleau then scored on a seven-yard keeper around right end four seconds before halftime, but the Eagles were still trailing 50-28 at the intermission.
"We were getting open spots and taking advantage of what we could," Ishpeming coach Mike Lyman said. "Our offense did well where we thought it could and our passing game was also effective. We're getting better every week, which is all we can do."
Kian Gauthier rushed for 161 yards and four TDs on 20 carries, including an eight-yard run which gave the Hematites an insurmountable 72-34 advantage late in the third.
Senior running back Dax Kakkuri added 78 yards and a TD in 13 attempts and sophomore wide receiver Donovan Snyder had two receptions for 72 yards and a TD.
Stephenson's offense was also productive, finishing with 401 yards.
Ruleau rushed for 214 yards and three scores on 11 carries and Motto caught three aerials for 82 yards and two scores.
"They have a lot more depth and wore us down," Carlson said. "Although, our guys played hard until the end, which is a big step up from the past few years."
Both teams resume Friday. The Eagles (2-1) host Gogebic and the Hematites (2-1) visit Crystal Falls Forest Park.