(Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo) Iron Mountain defenders Michael Talerico (73) and Bryce Pietrantonio (25) close in on Bark River-Harris’ Nick Javurek during Friday’s MHSAA Division 8 district championship game at Mountaineer Stadium. Iron Mountain won 36-16 to reach the quarterfinals of the state tournament.

IRON MOUNTAIN — Caleb Evosevich-Hynes rushed for 212 yards and three touchdowns as Iron Mountain defeated Bark River-Harris 36-16 Friday night in an MHSAA Division 8 district championship game at Mountaineer Stadium.

Evosevich-Hynes scored on a 10-yard run midway through the first quarter and then tossed a two-point conversion to fellow senior Bryce Pietrantonio for an 8-0 lead.

For the remainder of the game, Iron Mountain’s strong running game propelled them to victory. On a cold night in playoff-type weather, that’s a huge key to success.

“We ran the ball well tonight,” said Iron Mountain head coach Robin Martilla. “Caleb Evosevich-Hynes is a dynamic play maker, good things happen when the ball is in his hands.”

The Broncos moved the ball well in the first half — basically most of the game — but were unable to put it in the end zone until late in the contest. BR-H sports a very strong offensive line.

“Give Bark River credit, they’re a physical football team and they took it to us early on,” Marttila said. “They have an effective running game, especially to the left side behind three all-conference players. They know what they’re doing and we had a hard time stopping them at times tonight.”

The Broncos fumbled after the Mountaineers’ first score, recovered by Jon Carrion on the IM 26. On the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Eli Lofholm rolled to the left and flipped the ball forward to Gabe Richtig, who motored down the visitors’ sideline for a 74-yard touchdown.

“Gabe made a great play, he’s got some speed in the open field,” Marttila said.

Late in the second quarter, the Mountaineers got the ball back and Evosevich-Hynes broke free for a 69-yard touchdown run, getting a huge block from Caleb Burklund. Evosevich-Hynes added a successful conversion run to put IM ahead 24-0.

In the waning moments of the first half, Bark River had the ball with first and goal at the Mountaineers’ 9-yard line, but were unable to score.

Near the end of the third quarter, a Mountaineer drive was capped off by a 5-yard touchdown run by Burklund, who blasted his way into the end zone to put the home team ahead 30-0.

Richtig recovered a Broncos fumble early in their ensuing drive. On the Mountaineers’ second play from scrimmage, Evosevich-Hynes broke free down the home sideline for a 50-yard touchdown run, which extended the Mountaineers’ lead to 36-0.

The Broncos added two fourth quarter touchdowns. Bark River’s season came to an end with a 5-3 record.

“We couldn’t get into the end zone early on,” said Broncos head coach Al Stenberg. “Then we were shooting ourselves in the foot, turning the ball over.” Stenberg also noted that the Broncos lost some players early in the game due to injury.

“We started off pounding the ball behind the left side of our offensive line down the field, it was like any other game this year. Then the fumbles started, which did us no good at all,” he added.

“Evosevich-Hynes is a man amongst boys, he makes people look bad, especially running north to south, he’s a special player,” Stenberg said. “I wish them (Iron Mountain) good luck going forward, they have a great program.”

Iron Mountain, who improves to 8-1 on the season, remains home to host Johannesburg-Lewiston next week as Jo-Berg defeated Beal City Friday night 28-21. The time and date of next week’s regional final game at Mountaineer Stadium is to be announced.

Bark River-Harris 0 0 0 16 — 16

Iron Mountain 16 8 12 0 — 36

1st Quarter

IM- Caleb Evosevich-Hynes 10 yard run (Evosevich-Hynes pass to Bryce Pietrantonio) 7:21, 8-0

IM- Gabe Richtig 74 yard reception from Eli Lofholm (Evosevich-Hynes run) 1:55, 16-0

2nd Quarter

IM- Evosevich-Hynes 69 yard run (Lofholm to Pietrantonio) 3:57, 24-0

3rd Quarter

IM- Caleb Burklund 5 yard run (Pass failed) 4:40, 30-0

IM- Evosevich-Hynes 50 yard run (Kick failed) 1:25, 36-0

4th Quarter

BRH- Joey Stein 4 yard run (Keaton Bartoszek run) 6:58, 36-8

BRH- Bartoszek 12 yard run (Nick Javurek run) 2:40, 36-16

Iron Mountain stats

Total Yards: 342

Rushing

Evosevich-Hynes: 13-212

Burklund: 6-25

Richtig: 3-33

Passing

Lofholm: 3-5, 76 yards, TD

Defense-tackles

Hunter Fortner: 12 total, 10 solo

Pietrantonio: 15 total 12 solo

Burklund: 9 total, 8 solo

Joey Dumais: 8 total, 5 solo

Richtig: fumble recovery

Jon Carrion: 5 total, 2 solo, sack, fumble recovery

Brenden LaPoint: fumble recovery

Bark River stats

Total yards: 349

rushing: 246

passing: 103