CRYSTAL FALLS — For more than 44 minutes of game time, the Forest Park Trojans offense did virtually nothing against the Stephenson defense on Friday night in both teams’ season openers at Dick Mettlach Field in Crystal Falls.

“They executed their defensive game plan perfectly,” FP coach Brian Fabbri said. “We had played them in a scrimmage and they came with a completely different look in this game. Their defense had us figured out pretty good.”

But as has been the case over the years, it is dangerous to count the Trojans out. And with 3:51 remaining in the game, senior running back Sam McKissack scored on a 12-yard touchdown run and added the decisive two-point conversion as Forest Park came away with an 8-6 victory over Stephenson in a Great Lakes 8 Conference-West matchup.

As opposed to the Trojans, the Eagles offense scored early and then dried up. With 5:18 left in the opening quarter, Spencer Coldren ran off a 42-yard touchdown for Stephenson to put the visitors on the board. The extra-point failed and the Eagles stepped out front 6-0.

But as those things often go, the missed extra point eventually proved to be immense, though the repercussions would take another three quarters to appear.

With his offense sputtering, Fabbri decided in the fourth quarter to replace McKissack and fullback Reagan Alder on defense to rest his backs for offense. The move seemed to work as the FP offense finally started to move the ball.

“We didn’t do anything different other than that,” Fabbri said. “We got even more basic. Just went under center and our backside (blockers) stayed with their blocks.”

The second-year varsity head coach did not expect such a defensive struggle beforehand.

“I was surprised,” he said. “I had confidence in our defense, but I think there were some early jitters and they shut us down.”

Forest Park finished with 205 yards total. McKissack rushed 27 times for 168 yards.

“He was our total offense,” Fabbri said.

Stephenson’s offensive numbers were even lower than Forest Park’s. The Eagles finished with just 151 yards — 39 rushes for 115 yards and 2 of 6 passing for 36 yards.

Next up for the Trojans is a trip west to face the Gogebic Miners in a game to be played in Wakefield on Thursday. The Miners are a co-op team with Bessemer and Wakefield. Ironwood is no longer part of the co-op team.

Fabbri spoke of what he needs to see from his team this week in practice.

“Definitely, our line play has to improve. We waited for Stephenson to come at us. We’ve got to establish the line of scrimmage and execute up front. We have a lot of skilled players, we just have to give them a chance.”

Report compiled by staff writer Jerry DeRoche.