(Justin St. Ours/Escanaba Daily Press photo) North Central defensive back Caden Tietz (44) blows up Lake Linden-Hubbell running back Ben Tampas (5) in a Great Lakes 8 Conference West Division game Sept. 18 at North Central High School. North Central’s Lane Nehring (71) and Alex Naser (88) pursue on the play.

IRON MOUNTAIN — In order to defend a state football championship you have to qualify for the playoffs the following season — something the North Central Jets accomplished with ease.

The undefeated (9-0) defending MHSAA Division 2 8-player state champions breezed through the regular season with their closest game being last Friday night at Dick Mettlach Field in Crystal Falls, a 42-0 defeat of Forest Park.

The Jets starting defense gave up six points in the eight games the team played, as they took a Week 8 forfeit win over Gogebic-Bessemer. The lone touchdown NC gave up with their starters in the game was against Ontonagon on Oct. 8.

The Jets outscored their opponents by an astonishing margin of 480-13.

There’s added excitement this season because the MHSAA 8-player state championship games are at the Superior Dome in Marquette, a mere 89 miles from Powers. That compares to the 840-mile round trip the Jets were forced to endure last season, as the 8-player state title games were at the Legacy Center in Brighton in the Lower Peninsula.

But the Jets must focus on the game in front of them on Saturday afternoon, a 3 p.m. kickoff in Powers versus 7-2 Pellston, a Ski-Valley 8-Man Conference member. The Hornets lost in Week 9 to Hillman and were defeated by Indian River Inland Lakes, 49-6 on Oct. 8 — both playoff teams.

The Gaylord St. Mary Snowbirds were the only playoff team Pellston defeated in 2021, a 34-8 win on Oct. 1. On paper, it can probably also be said that the Hornets will have their work cut out for them against the high-powered Jets offense and fast defense.

“From film, honestly they look a lot like the other teams in our region,” said NC head coach Leo Gorzinski. “They like to play a 5-man front with a quarterback and two backs. They shift between twin backs, shotgun and I-formation’s. Nothing really fancy just some fakes in backfield and a run first mentality.”

For North Central, junior quarterback/defensive back Luke Gorzinski is nursing an injured hamstring, while all-U.P. running back Alex Naser is hobbled by a knee injury. Naser will be out for the game, as well as senior Caden Tietz. There’s a slim possibility Luke Gorzinski will be ready to play Saturday.

“Keys to succes for us — stay patient,” said coach Gorzinski. “If Luke can’t go, be ready to sustain drives versus quick scores. Win the trenches and trust our defense. Stick to your assignment and good things will happen.”

Defensively, the Jets as a team have given up only two scores all season. They’ve allowed 47 first downs, with only 12 of those by rushing.

“We approach every game the same. We strive to win the battle in the trenches and control the line of scrimmage. If we can do that, we have enough talent and depth to get the job done,” coach Gorzinski said.

NC has rushed for 2,248 yards so far this season, compared to their opponents’ 63 yards on 208 attempts — an average of 0.3 yards per rush. No rushing touchdowns have been scored on the Jets defense.

The Jets in eight games amassed a total of 3237 yards, to their opponents’ 641 — a 1.9 yards per play average for their opponents.