By Adam Niemi

For The Daily News

CALUMET – Kingsford took a late lead and forced two turnovers in beating Calumet 17-16 in the season opener Friday night at Agassiz Field.

The Flivvers (1-0) took their first lead of the game when Carter Kreski dove over the pile for a 1-yard score and Diego Przeslakowski kicked the point after for the narrow lead.

Calumet (0-1) pushed two drives deep into Kingsford territory, but the Flivvers recovered a fumble and got an interception within the final minute to seal the win.

“Pretty proud of what we did here. That’s a pretty good football team that we squared off with,” Calumet head coach John Croze said. “They made the plays in the second half to win the game that they needed to. We had some opportunities to put them more on their heels and we just didn’t cash in on those opportunities. I certainly wouldn’t call it mistakes — we have a lot to learn. I’m certainly proud of the effort and what we did defensively. We took our first two offensive drives and ground out a lot of dirt and time off the clock.”

It was a sour start for the Copper Kings to an already sour season heavily impacted and shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Returning to Agassiz Field for their first game since a Division 6 regional final loss to Maple City Glen Lake on Nov. 16, the Copper Kings seized momentum early against the Flivvers.

Calumet scored first on a 4-yard run by junior tailback Dryden Nelson.

Kingsford answered early in the second quarter with a 11-yard touchdown reception by Zach Person from junior quarterback Mike Meneguzzo.

Calumet’s Kip Kangas scored from 2 yards out with about three minutes remaining in the second quarter for a 16-7 lead.

Przeslakowski kicked a 30-yard field goal with 26 seconds left in the half to make it a 17-10 game.

“The whole ups and downs, the offseason,” Kingsford head coach Mark Novara said. “It’s been one of those things where you kind of ride the waves. That’s what we’ve been trying to do. We just were able to overcome and keep grinding.”

The Copper Kings took the ball after Kingsford’s score with 4:35 at the Flivvers’ 47. A fumble on third-and-5 at the Flivvers’ 13 gave Kingsford the ball with 2:35 remaining.

Calumet’s defense held steady and Kingsford punted the ball out at its own 34. The Copper Kings took over with 1:16.

A pass from Calumet quarterback Paul Sturos into double coverage intended for Dylan Krans was tipped up and intercepted by Kingsford defender Nolan LaVarnway.

The Flivvers got the ball back at their own 7 and kneeled out the clock for the win.

Kingsford is at Escanaba on Friday.

Kingsford 0 10 0 7 – 17

Calumet 8 8 0 0 – 16

First Quarter

CHS – Nelson 4 run (2-point conversion), 4:26.

Second Quarter

KHS – Person 11 pass from Meneguzzo (Przeslakowski kick), 11:16.

CHS – Kangas 2 run (2-point conversion), 2:52.

KHS – Przeslakowski 30 field goal, 0:26.

Fourth Quarter

KHS – Kreski 1 run (Przeslakowski kick), 4:41.