(Terry Raiche photo) Kingsford’s Carter Kreski (1) rushes the ball down field as he’s pursued by Marquette’s Owen Beauchamp (6). Kingsford’s Ben Rumpf (4) and Mike Meneguzzo (2) look on as Michale Bird (64) follows the play Friday night at Flivver Field.

KINGSFORD — A football team with a strong defense improves its chances of winning championships. Although there were no championships on the line at Flivver Field Friday night, Marquette’s stifling defense led them to a 10-0 shutout of Kingsford in Great Northern Conference action.

The win for Marquette is their third in a row over the Flivvers — something the Redmen hadn’t done since winning four straight from 1973-76.

Marquette head coach Eric Mason, in his second year at the helm, knew it had been a long time since this happened.

“To come here and win whenever you can is great. This Flivver program has been successful for a long time,” Mason said. “Last week we had a let down, but this week we came ready to play.”

Marquette lost to Sault Ste. Marie a week ago, 22-16.

“Defense is effort and want to, and the kids came out and played hard. We got to the football and made plays,” Mason said. The Redmen held Kingsford to 109 yards of total offense for the game — just 34 on the ground.

On Kingsford’s first possession, a Carter Kreski fumble was recovered by Desmond Mullen of the Redmen. Marquette’s ensuing drive began with quarterback Austin Ridl getting sacked by Kingsford’s Zach Person.

A fumble by Marquette’s versatile running back Brady Wright was recovered by Kreski on the first play of Marquette’s third possession of the first half.

The see-saw of turnovers continued as Kingsford quarterback Mike Meneguzzo threw his first of three interceptions on the night on the second play of the Flivvers’ ensuing drive. David Eberhard of the Redmen made the pick.

The teams exchanged possessions until Marquette scored midway through the second quarter on a 1-yard run by Ridl, which turned out to be the only touchdown of the game. Marquette took their 7-0 lead into halftime.

Prior to the half, Owen Beauchamp recorded a sack for the Redmen. And on the last play of the first half, Kingford’s Diego Przeslakowski intercepted a Hail Mary pass by Ridl thrown towards the end zone.

In the second half, both teams moved the ball up and down the field, but neither could reach paydirt. The Flivvers’ defense stiffened , but Marquette’s continued to dominate, especially up front.

Kingsford was without a two-way starter on both sides of their line in team captain Elliot Johnson, who missed the game due to being in quarantine from possible exposure to COVID-19. “Elliot is a huge part of our line and our team, we missed him tonight,” said Kingsford head coach Mark Novara.

Novara noted the Flivvers were forced to prepare on short notice of Johnson’s absence, along with a couple of other players, for various reasons.

“Despite missing the players that we did tonight, we need to catch the ball, we need to throw it better, and we can’t fumble, things we weren’t doing tonight,” Novara said.

Marquette’s other interceptions came late in the game and stifled two Kingsford drives. Mullen had one of them to go with his fumble recovery.

Ethan Richards snared the final interception after Redmen kicker Connor Johnson made a 26-yard field goal with 4:12 remaining in the game.

On the first play from scrimmage for Marquette after the Richards’ interception, Kingsford’s Danny Weber stripped the Marquette ball carrier giving the Flivvers one more chance with the ball.

“At the end of the day, we are grateful to have played tonight, a lot of teams are sitting home this week and we got to play,” Novara said. “But we’ll work on what we need to work on as coaches and as a team.”

The Flivvers remain home to host GNC foe Gladstone on Friday night. Marquette travels to Menominee for a GNC contest with the Maroons.

In halftime homecoming festivities, Nolan LaVarnway was crowned king and Josie Scott queen.

M– 0 7 0 3 — 10

K — 0 0 0 0 — 0

2nd Quarter

M– Austin Ridl 1-yard run (Connor Johnson kick) 7-0 (9:53)

4th Quarter

M– Johnson 26-yard field goal, 10-0 (4:12)