Members of the North Central varsity football team celebrate with the state championship trophy after defeating Mendon 66-26 in the MHSAA eight-player Division 2 finals game played at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Saturday. For the Jets, the victory extended their winning streak to a state-record 37 games and is the team’s fifth title in eight years. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

MARQUETTE — The North Central Jets were clearly on a mission in the eight-player, Division 2 state football final in Marquette on Saturday.

Mission accomplished.

The Jets (13-0) earned their third straight state championship in a 66-26 triumph over the Mendon Hornets at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome, extending their winning streak to a state-record 37 games for their fifth title in eight years.

North Central led 14-0 before the Hornets ran their first offensive play.

“It was a long week of practice,” said Jets coach Leo Gorzinski. “We faced a lot of adversity and worked on a lot of different looks. That’s heck of a program they have. No. 21 (junior quarterback Jack McCaw) is a great football player.”

North Central running back Dillon Raab (28) goes untouched after breaking this attempted tackle by Mendon's Nathan Vergauwen en route to a third first-quarter touchdown in the MHSAA eight-player football Division 2 state championship game played at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Saturday. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

North Central junior kicker Adrian Mercier set an eight-player, single-season state record for extra points with 60, one more than the previous record set a year ago by Adrian Lenawee Christian’s Brady McKelvey.

“I didn’t know I had the record,” he said. “Most important thing was to win the game. The team comes first. You have to put team goals before personal goals. I was excited to find out I got the record. I just put so much work during the off-season. I’m even more excited for our team right now.”

Senior Elijah Gorzinski returned the opening kickoff for an 85-yard touchdown and senior QB Luke Gorzinski, playing with a knee injury, completed a 14-yard pass to sophomore Lane Gorzinski for another score just 50 seconds into the contest.

“All the injuries go away when you play in a game like this,” said Luke Gorzinski. “You do it for your teammates, coaches, school and community. “They (Mendon) are here for a reason. They put on a show just like we did. We were just fortunate enough to end up on top.”

Senior Dillon Raab, also nursing a knee injury, gave the Jets a 21-0 cushion on a 36-yard dash slightly more than three minutes into the playoff match-up.

With teammate Dillon Raab (28) as the holder, North Central's Adam Mercier (3) kicks an extra point after a touchdown in the first quarter of the MHSAA eight-player football Division 2 state championship game played against Mendon at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Saturday. Mercier set a state record for extra points in one season during the game. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

Luke Gorzinski then tossed a 36-yard pass in the left flat to Lane Gorzinski for a 28-0 advantage with 38 seconds remaining in the opening frame.

“The opening kickoff absolutely set the tone,” said Coach Gorzinski. “It feels a lot better to be at this end of the scoreboard. The kids understand what a tight-knit group this is and can do amazing things when they get together. This is a testament to all the kids and coaches. Commitment to the program is what really keeps them on top. I’ve been with these kids since August.”

North Central’s lead reached 35 points on Luke Gorzinski’s 30-yard aerial through the middle to senior wide receiver Dylan Plunger with 4:05 left in the second stanza.

The Hornets (10-3) got on the board when McCaw faked a handoff and dashed 30 yards around left end ar 2:05.

The Jets answered 44 seconds before halftime when Luke Gorzinski tossed a 20-yard pass to senior tight end Jordan Messenger for a 41-6 advantage.

North Central's Lane Gorzinski drags Mendon's Evan Lukeman into the end zone for the Jets' second touchdown in the first quarter of the MHSAA eight-player football Division 2 state championship game played at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Saturday. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

McCaw broke off right tackle for a 58-yard TD run 49 seconds into the third frame.

North Central made it 48-12 on Luke Gorzinski’s QB sneak 58 seconds later.

Mendon trimmed its deficit to 48-20 on McCaw’s 70-yard run around right end at 8:10.

The Jets needed just 11 seconds to respond, gaining a 54-20 advantage on Jacob Gorzinski’s 60-yard dash off right tackle.

“It’s amazing to win this three years in a row,” he said. “We don’t plan on stopping. We ready to go for four. The season starts tomorrow (Sunday). They’re real good. No. 21 is heck of an athlete. It’s hard to stop him. They deserved to be here.”

Jake Gorzinski tossed a 33-yard TD pass to Luke Gorzinski late in the third and Lane Gorzinski ran 38 yards for another score early in the fourth.

“Nobody thought I was getting the ball,” Luke Gorzinski said. “I just told Jake to give me the ball and it worked. Everyone on our team delivered today.”

The Jets finished with 512 yards in total offense. Jake Gorzinski ran six times for 133. Lane Gorzinski added 90 on eight carries and Raab had 40 in just two attempts.

Luke Gorzinski hit 13-of-25 passes for 208 yards and four TDs. Lane Gorzinski caught four for 67 and Plunger had three receptions for 51.

Defensively, Lane Gorzinski collected 8 1/2 tackles. Senior lineman Andrew Webber and Messenger had seven apiece.

McCaw rushed 35 times for 211 yards, most of that coming in the second half. The Hornets ended with 258 yards in total offense.

“The guys played hard all the way through,” said Mendon coach Rob Kretschman. “We knew Powers had a real good team. Jack is an explosive player. We’re excited he’s coming back next year.”