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ISHPEMING -- The Ishpeming Hematites unleashed a potent ground attack while handing Powers North Central a 50-22 eight-player football loss here Friday night.
Ishpeming, traditionally a run-oriented team, rushed for 284 yards. The Hematites were led by junior running back Derek Meyer, who gained 230 on 26 carries.
"That comes from the Jeff Olson era," Ishpeming coach Mike Lyman said. "I played for him 20 years ago. We can enjoy this for now, then we have to come back to work on Monday."
The Jets, who were trailing 16-0, chopped their deficit in half on a 10-yard pass from senior quarterback Nathan Pipkorn to sophomore Ty Veeser midway through the second quarter.
Ishpeming answered 30 seconds before halftime, gaining a 24-8 lead on a one-yard run up the middle by Meyer.
North Central received the second half kickoff
The Jets, however, fumbled on the first play from scrimmage and Meyer scooped up the loose ball and dashed 60 yards for another score to put the Hematites up 30-8.
North Central responded on its next possession, shaving its deficit to 30-14 on a 43-yard keeper around left end at 10:37.
Ishpeming answered again, hiking its advantage to 36-14 on a one-yard run up the middle by senior running back Dax Kakkuri with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
"That was a very good football team," Jets' coach Leo Gorzinski said. "We'll take this one and learn from it. They didn't do anything that surprised us. They were just more physical. I'll take our coverage, but their guys made the plays."
The Hematites extended their lead to 42-14 on a 13-yard run off right tackle by Kakkuri with 9:25 left in the contest.
Sophomore defensive back Donovan Snyder then intercepted a pass and returned it 65 yards for another score and a 50-14 advantage at 7:27.
The Jets concluded the scoring with 3:13 remaining on Pipkorn's 45-yard aerial to junior Pryar LaBonte.
Kakkuri gave the Hematites an 8-0 lead on a 10-yard run up the middle midway through the opening frame.
Meyer then scored on an 82-yard dash along the right sidelines for a 16-point advantage early in the second.
Pipkorn hit 15-of-24 passes for 212 yards and two TDs. LaBonte caught three passes for 80 and Cretens added five receptions for 60. Pipkorn ran seven times for 38 yards.
"We basically have to work on carrying out our assignments," Gorzinski said. "The young guys are still learning their assignments."
Meyer rushed for 230 yards on 26 carries. The Hematites finished with 386 in total offense.
"I really respect North Central's program," Lyman said. "Leo's a great guy. I thought their quarterback did a good job."
The Jets (1-1) host Ontonagon Friday. The Hematites (1-1) host Stephenson Saturday.