Ishpeming, MI– September 24th, 2021– The Ishpeming Hematites lost to the Negaunee Miners Friday evening. The game was broadcast live on 98.3 WRUP.
1st Quarter- In the first quarter of the game, the Hematites won the coin toss.The Hematites returned the ball and Ishpeming’s own Logan Hurkmans (36) ran up the side for a 17 yard return landing at the 23 yard line. Ishpeming was struggling to gain a first down and had to kick the ball away to the Negaunee Miners. All night, the Negaunee Miners were utilizing quick hand off plays. The Friday night game went very well for the Miner’s own Nico Lukkarinen (24) who ended up taking the ball up the field for an 18 yard run play and quickly after into the end zone scoring 6 for the Negaunee Miners. The extra point attempt was successful, ending their carry at 7 points. Later in the quarter the Negaunee team ran the ball for 36 yards and gained another touchdown with another successful extra point. The Hematites took the ball back and attempted to gain some ground. Sticking to the wildcat formation, the Ishpeming team’s own Luke Kostreva (11) almost threw an interception. With only a couple yards on their next carry the Ishpeming Hematites had a turnover on downs. Negaunee now with the ball carried it all the way to 1st and goal and in position to score yet another touchdown. The Miner’s own Gerald Johnson (12) completed another touchdown pass to Philip Nelson. The attempt for the extra point was again successful and the quarter ended at 21-0 for the Negaunee Team.
2nd Quarter- Later in the night in the first quarter the Ishpeming Hematites started at their own 45. With more of the Wildcat formation the Ishpeming team just couldn’t gain any ground and kicked it away to the Negaunee Miners. Easton Palomaki (20), a Negaunee Quarterback, ran out at the 30 yard line for a Negaunee first down. An offside penalty on the Hematites gave the Miners a gain of 5 yards and ended up giving Negaunee their 7th 1st down of the game. Gerald Johnson (12), Quarterback for the Miners, tossed a long pass down the field and ended up connecting with Brenten Belanger (3) for another Negaunee touchdown, however an illegal shift penalty took the points off the board. Later Gerald Johnson attempted the same play again and successfully added another official touchdown to the Miners as well as another extra point. The score was 28-0 with 6 minutes left in the 2nd quarter. The kick back over to the Hematites had them starting their drive at the 35 yard line. The team’s own Dawson Lawry (15) began the play with only one yard gained. Ishpeming was finally able to gain a 1st down at the 46 yard line. Unable to carry it down the field, the Hematites kick the ball away to the Miners. The kick landed around the 22 yard line and Dawson Lawry just barely carried the ball across the 50 yard line. Another turnover shortly after for the Hematites. The Negaunee Miners own Gerald Johnson passed to Philip Nelson for another touchdown pass. Ending the first half with 35-0 for the Negaunee Miner
3rd Quarter- In the 2nd half of Friday’s game the Negaunee Miners lead with 35 points and they prepared to return the kick from Ishpeming. The Miner’s own Easton Palomaki returned the kick. The Hematites were able to muster up some great defensive plays and caused a turnover on downs for the Negaunee team. The Hematites chose to run in the Wildcat formation yet again but were unable to drive the ball down the field. Blocking a punt, the Miners were able to cause a safety and bring up their score to 37. Hematites kicked it to the Miners, and Brady Roose (21) returned it for just 2 yards. A wild hand off to Easton Palomaki had him slipping on the field but he was able to recover and run into the end zone for another touchdown for the Miners. The Miners lined up to take a knee and gave the ball to Ishpeming. The score was 43-0 for the Negaunee Miners.
4th Quarter- In the 4th quarter of the game the Hematites were really pushing for some points on the board. The Negaunee Miners were striving for some more ground on the field. No gain on the play for each team caused turnovers to take place all over the last quarter of the game. The game ends with 43-0 for the Negaunee Miners.
FINAL SCORE: 43-0
LISTEN- Full broadcast on 98.3 WRUP.
