Norway's Wyatt Spade (8) starts upfield while running with the ball during a game against Lake Linden-Hubbell on Saturday at Warner Athletic Field in Lake Linden. After losing their season-opener to the Lakes, the Knights avenged the loss by topping Lake Linden-Hubbell 34-6 in a rematch Saturday. (Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette photo)

LAKE LINDEN — What a difference a couple of weeks can make.

When they met to open the season in Norway, Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes jumped all over the Knights and were rewarded with a 54-34 win.

Fast forward two weeks and it was the Knights who jumped out early, racking up 20 points in the first 12 minutes of en route to a 34-6 win in a clash of the two 8-player football rivals at Warner Athletic Field on Saturday.

For Knights coach Scott Popp, the difference was night and day.

“A couple weeks ago, we didn’t have two of our kids or three of our kids,” he said. “They’re starters on defense. We knew we had a big task because Coach Brett (Gervais), he has a heck of a line. I mean, his kids are so fundamentally sound. So were really worried and we really worked on taking the trap away from them, and our kids got through and they made the right plays.”

On the other side of the field, Gervais felt that something was missing from his team’s effort level throughout the afternoon.

“I just feel like we came out kind of flat,” he said. “I feel like Norway was better prepared than we were. They came out and played with fire. It was evident just from the beginning. They play fast offensively.”

Wyatt Spade got the Knights on the board first with a 3-yard scamper on the opening drive. Fortunately for the Lakes, the Knights missed the two-point conversion. After forcing the Lakes to turn the ball over on downs, Cole Baij hit Spade for a five-yard touchdown pass. On the conversion, Baij hit Ian Popp for the conversion, putting Norway up, 14-0.

Ian Popp stung the Lakes again late in the first quarter when he exploded for a 42-yard touchdown run down the right sideline. The Knights missed the conversion after, but led 20-0.

Coach Popp was proud of what his senior did offensively throughout the afternoon.

“Ian had a great day,” the coach said. “He’s got good vision of the field, and he knows how to sneak through and get some spots.”

Spade also drew a lot of praise from his head coach.

“He saw the crease, and he’s just fast,” Coach Popp said. “I mean, he’s a fast kid. So, once he does hit that hole, he’s not shifty, and he’s just a straight-up runner. If he sees a hole, he can hit it pretty well.”

The Knights showed, especially in the first half, a desire to control the line of scrimmage, something that Gervais and his staff pride themselves on.

“They did a real nice job controlling the line of scrimmage,” he added. “Usually, that’s what we do, we control the line. I thought that they did some nice little adjustments.

“They played down at a four against us and 71 (Maddex Burklund) for them held down the line. I think that was a problem all day.”

In the second half, the Lakes played with a bit more intensity, and that allowed them to start to create a little offensively. Senior quarterback Danny Marcotte did finish his day with 52 yards rushing on 20 attempts. He was also 2-for-16 for 49 yards and two interceptions in the passing game.

JETS 34, MINERS 6

BESSEMER — The state record for consecutive wins was at 39 entering action Friday.

That streak was on the line as the North Central 8-player varsity football team headed out to face off against the Gogebic Miners in Bessemer.

With the longest win streak in Michigan 8-player football hanging over their heads, the Jets dismantled Gogebic en route to a 34-6 victory. The winning streak is now at 40 games.

“Gogebic, they were a great host,” North Central head coach Leo Gorzinski said. “Those kids played right until the end and they gave us a couple of good looks that we are going to learn from.”

For Gorzinski, keeping the winning streak alive is simple.

“Well, you don’t think about the streak, you worry about the next week and then the next week after that, is how you do it,” Gorzinski said. “The kids, obviously, they know teams are going to be geared up to give them their best shot. So, prepare to win.”

Jacob Gorzinski led the way offensively for North Central with five total scores (3 rushing, 1 passing, 1 receiving) while adding 155 rushing yards. The Jets also received contributions from Lane Gorzinski (1 rushing touchdown, 110 rushing yards, 1 passing touchdown), Aidyn Burton (1 touchdown grab) and Jordan Walters (1 rushing touchdown).

“Obviously, Lane, Jacob and Max had outstanding games, but Aidyn Burton, on the defensive side of the ball, was everywhere,” Gorzinski said. “He earned his nickname, “The Honey Badger” tonight.”

North Central returns to play on Friday as they welcome Ontonagon to Powers. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

“These kids, they’ve been in this program this long and they understand what’s at stake, and they don’t want to be the group that breaks it,” Gorzinski said. “Nobody wants to be the first one to lose it and be remembered for that.

“So, they take it upon themselves to prepare as hard and as best as they can and they just trust and believe in one another,” he added.

TROJANS 22, MUSTANGS 12

MUNISING — Although it started undefeated, the Forest Park 8-player varsity football team hadn’t truly been tested this season. However, that changed on Friday in Munising.

After four hard-fought quarters, the Trojans (3-0) emerged victorious over the Mustangs 22-12.

“We got into a tough physical football game and our guys played very well,” Forest Park head coach Brian Fabri said. “They responded well. Munising’s film did not do them justice at all. They came out and hit us hard. They flew to the ball. So, initial thoughts, I’m happy that we took a couple shots and then we stayed with them.”

Felix Quevedo led the way for the Trojans offensively with 132 rushing yards on 18 carries. Forest Park also received offensive contributions from Gabe Quevedo (9 receiving yards, 25 rushing yards, 1 TD), Nik Stephens (79 passing yards, 1 interception, 43 rushing yards, 2 TDs), Grayson Sundell (27 rushing yards), Vic Guiliani (21 receiving yards, 7 rushing yards) and Gaven Rintala (49 receiving yards, 1 TD).

For Fabri, one player truly stood out on the defensive side of the ball.

“Defensively, Matt Showers (was) all over the field,” Fabri said. “I think, (he was) on the bottom of almost every pile. He was big on defense.”

Despite escaping Munising with a win, the Trojans are aware of the areas they need improvement.

“(We) have to work on our execution, all of that falls on me.” Fabri said. “… I got to do a better job preparing for different situations during the game and not just assuming everything is going to go as planned. Now I gotta learn from (the) film. Film doesn’t lie, but it also doesn’t tell you the full story either.”

The Trojans return to the field on Thursday in Norway as they take on the Knights. Kickoff is 6 p.m.

EAGLES 50, BADGERS 12

ALMOND, Wis. — Looking to avoid three-straight losses to begin its season, the Niagara 8-player varsity football team headed to Almond, Wisconsin on Friday prepared for whatever challenge Almond-Bancroft.

But the Eagles (2-1) were up for the test and dismantled the Badgers (0-3) for a 50-12 victory.

“We had some starters get injured early,” Niagara head coach Philip Towns said. “It was a tough game, but I’m proud of how the team rallied and came together.”

Despite battling injuries, Towns believes the Badgers can build off this performance.

“We played with plenty of pride in the second half and (were) able to start moving the ball,” Towns added. “Definitely, something to build off of moving into next week.”

Aiden Sweig led Niagara on offense with nine carries for 32 yards and a score. The Badgers also received offensive contributions from Christian Hedmark (9 carries, 22 yards), Mason Richtig (9 carries, 20 yards, 1 TD), and Jaxon Neuens (5 carries, 23 yards).

Noah Wheeler set up one of Niagara’s scores after blocking a punt. The Badgers also received contributions on defense from Hedmark (4 tackles, 1 pass defended), Richtig (4 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 tackle for loss), Sweig (3 tackles, 1 pass defended) and Dante Stachowicz (5 tackles, 1 pass defended).

Niagara looks to pick up its first win at home on Friday against Elcho/White Lake with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

— Daily News sports editor Sean Chase and Daily Mining Gazette sports editor Daver Karnosky contributed to this report.