Win might be enough for playoff berth

by Richard Lamb, Advance Editor

Hopes are alive for a playoff berth for the Huron football team. The only thing the Hurons can do is defeat Oscoda Friday and wish for the best. A 5-4 record might be good enough to get into the playoffs, (see separate story) but first things first. Oscoda (3-5) is coming off a 28-26 win over Hillman (5-3) last week after defeating Hale (1-7) 26-0 Oct. 8. The last time Oscoda visited Rogers City, the Owls snapped a 28-game losing streak, so coach Mike Kosiara isn?t taking this game lightly. ?These things we have discussed with our players. The most important thing, however, is for them to play up to their potential and keep improving,? Kosiara said.

The Owls have won three of their last four games, after losing the first four games of the season. ?They are coming off a big win against Hillman, so they will be really confident. They are completely gun and tough to defend. We always have difficulty running the ball against them,? Kosiara said. LAST WEEK the Hurons staked the visiting Newberry Indians to a 6-0 lead and then scored the next 30 points in a 30-6 win. Rogers City didn?t complete a pass in the game, but rang up 325 rushing yards in a dominating performance.

?I prefer a more balanced attack, but if we can run the ball like we did, I?ll do it,? Kosiara said.

The defining drive of the game came with the Hurons leading 8-6 near the end of the third quarter. Taking over at their own 13 yard-line, Rogers City marched 87 yards in 14 plays in a drive which ate 6:06 off the clock. Keegan Urban finished the drive with a 9-yard run at the 6:29 mark of the fourth quarter. Calling all runs, the biggest play of the drive came on a 15-yard run by fullback Dylan Orr. He also had an 11-yard run in the monster drive.

KOSIARA PRAISED the work of the offensive line in Friday?s game. They cleared holes for the running backs and cut down on penalties which had plagued them earlier in the season.

?The line did a good job and Jesse made good reads,? Kosiara said. ?It?s a pleasure to be a part of a disciplined drive like that. After a Newberry punt, the Hurons scored again. This time they covered 51 yards in just four plays. Senior quarterback Jesse Wilbert call

ed his own number on a 23-yard dash down the left sideline. He ran in the conversion to make the score 22-6 with 3:58 left in the fourth quarter. The Hurons got their final score on Wilbert?s second TD run, this time from 15 yards. He ran in the two-pointer to give the Hurons a 30-6 lead with 1:52 left in the game. Rogers City?s defense gave one of its best efforts of the season, coming up with three turnovers including two interceptions by Chase Grulke. Lance Schaedig?s 10 tackles and three assists led the team. ?After the first quarter, they started playing more aggressively,? Kosiara said of his defense.

Friday?s game will be broadcast on 99.9 FM with Karl Grambau and Karl Momrik handling the play-by-play. Statistics Total offense: Rogers City 0 passing yards, 325 rushing yards. Newberry 65 rushing yards, 158 passing yards. Individual Passing: Wilbert 0-for-5, 1 interception Rushing: Wilbert 20 carries, 116 yards, 2 TD, 3 extra points; Urban 20/107/1/0; Orr 9/57/0/0; Schaedig 7/39/1/0. Defensive leaders Schaedig 10 primary, 3 assisted tackles; Sobeck 6/6; Ellenberger 6/5; Orr 5/3, Brietzke 4/4. Grulke had two interceptions.