Jets’ junior Ben Stage (1) rolls out looking to pass against the Trojans on Friday. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

CRYSTAL FALLS — Every time the North Central and Forest Park 8-player varsity football teams meet up, it’s guaranteed to be a slugfest.

Throw in the added pressure of an outright Great Lakes Eight Conference – West Division title, a perfect season and the Upper Peninsula Sportscasters and Sportswriters No. 1 ranking and everyone in attendance at Dick Mettlach Field was on the edge of their seats expecting another classic on Friday.

With all that build up, the game didn’t disappoint either as the Jets escaped Crystal Falls with a 45-34 win over the No. 1 ranked Trojans.

“Before everyone gets too excited, we’re going to be facing each other again, when the game really matters in a couple weeks,” North Central head coach Leo Gorzinski said. “But, what a good football game. For the past couple of years, that was the most competitive game we’ve had in a long time. The fans got their money’s worth.”

After rolling to an 8-0 record, Forest Park’s head coach Brian Fabbri took the blame for the Trojans’ slow start.

Forest Park quarterback Vic Giuliani (12) rolls out looking to pass against the Jets on Friday. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

“North Central is a very good football team, very well coached and they came ready to play,” Fabbri said. “I’ll take all the blame on this one. Our guys were not prepared. I think my ego got in the way a little bit. You know, telling them, ‘This is our year. This is our turn.’

“They came and hit us in the mouth and that’s the outcome.”

Despite that, Fabbri was proud to see his kids stand strong in the face of adversity.

“Our kids didn’t quit,” Fabbri said. “There were a lot of emotions out there after the game and as a coach, that shows they care. That’s what I strive for, to get these kids to buy into something and that’s our family atmosphere. This one should hurt. This one’s going to hurt. Until we get back on the field it’s going to sting.”

Both teams started slow in the face of a chilly October night and at halftime North Central held a 12-6 advantage. Senior running back Lane Gorzinski ran in both of the Jets’ touchdowns while sophomore Vic Giuliani scored on a quarterback keeper for the Trojans.

North Central senior Lane Gorzinski (6) drags Forest Park’s Dax Huuki (13) down the field during Friday’s clash at Dick Mettlach Field. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

“We gave up a quick easy score before half on two plays and they ran the one play twice, so we were pretty critical with them,” coach Gorzinski said.

For Forest Park, the halftime message was all about looking forward.

“(Our) message at halftime was we didn’t play very well, we dropped a few interceptions, too many penalties and we held them to 12 points,” Fabbri said.

In the second half, both teams seemingly locked in and the points piled up.

Lane Gorzinksi picked off a Giuliani pass in the third quarter, setting up the Jets’ offense. After a Trojans’ false start, Lane Gorzinski connected with Austin Farley for a 26-yard TD pass. North Central led 19-6.

On the first play of Forest Park’s next drive, Giuliani broke through the line and scampered 48 yards for a TD.

North Central responded on the ensuing kickoff when Kaden Malone took the kickoff 80 yards to the house, giving the Jets a 25-12 advantage.

Giuliani added a 19-yard TD to cut into North Central’s lead, setting up an onside kick. Forest Park recovered and Dax Huuki took the ball 37 yards for the score. Suddenly, the Trojans held a 26-25 lead.

Prior to the game, coach Gorzinski wasn’t planning on using Lane Gorzinski in excess. However, once the game got interesting things changed.

“I’m mad at myself, because I told him, I’m only going to give him seven to 10 carries because this game wasn’t supposed to matter,” coach Gorzinski said. “But, once the competitive edge starts going, that’s how it goes. The boys didn’t want to let one go. It wasn’t just Lane (Gorzinski). This team stepped up.

“They did their jobs, hit their marks and I think we showed each other what we needed to see.”

With time running out in the third quarter, Lane Gorzinski punched in another TD. This time from one-yard out and the Jets took the lead back, 33-26.

Forest Park strung together a 10-play drive, culminating in another TD run from Giulani and it took a 34-33 lead. That was the last time the Trojans would reach the endzone.

Lane Gorzinski drove the Jets down the field and scored a 20-yard TD run to put them back ahead. He added a two-yard TD run to his total in the fourth quarter.

Forest Park looked poised to respond on its next drive. However, Myles Nehring picked off a Giuliani pass sealing the win for North Central.

“It gave us momentum,” coach Gorzinski said. “They were starting to gain some momentum and then we took it back. We were able to capitalize on that and now we’re rolling. We were always able to stay just a few inches ahead of them.”

Lane Gorzinski led the way for the Jets with 234 rushing yards and five TDs on 29 carries. He also went 11 for 16 through the air for 169 yards and a TD.

Malone led all North Central receivers with six catches for 68 yards. Jordan Walters (2 catches, 6 yards), Aidyn Burton (1 catch, 37 yards) Riley Cretans (1 catch, 18 yards), Farley (1 catch, 36 yards) and Spencer Willa (1 catch, 6 yards) all caught passes for the Jets.

Now both North Central and Forest Park turn their attention to the MHSAA 8-player Division 2 state playoffs.

The Jets are hosting Gaylord St. Mary while Forest Park hosts Bellaire.

“Monday, we’ll see what kind of kids we have,” Fabbri said. “We’ll see how many show up. There’s not a doubt in my mind, they’re all going to be there. … It’s up to the kids now. If they want to keep playing they show up and work hard.”

NORDICS 60, TROJANS 6

CENTRAL LAKE — The North Dickinson 8-player varsity football team wrapped up its regular season slate against Central Lake on Friday in Central Lake.

Despite a longer than normal trip ahead of the game, the Nordics didn’t miss a beat as they increased their win streak to five games with a 60-6 drubbing of the Trojans.

After the first quarter, the Nordics held a 30-0 advantage. They piled on 16 points in the second quarter and took a 46-6 lead into halftime. It was over from there.

Junior quarterback Brady Jungwirth led the way for North Dickinson with five passing TDs. He was 15 for 21 through the air for 286 yards. He also scored on a four-yard rushing TD.

Spencer Kramer caught three TD passes in the win and ended the day with six grabs for 126 yards. He also ran in a 35-yard TD.

Tyler Fleming had three catches for 70 yards and a TD while Jason Graham had a two-yard rushing touchdown.

Defensively, Spencer Kramer led the way with 11 tackles and two sacks. Miles Lindholm also tallied five sacks.

North Dickinson ended the season at 6-3 overall and 4-0 in Great Lakes Eight Conference – Central Division action.

While this season was a success for the Nordics, they narrowly missed out on the MHSAA Division 2 8-player playoffs.

KNIGHTS 38, BULLDOGS 6

RUDYARD — After surviving every challenge thrown its way during the 2024 campaign, the Norway 8-player varsity football team capped off its regular season slate with a 38-6 shellacking of Rudyard on Friday.

With Cole Baij still recovering from an emergency appendectomy Kaleb LaPine stepped in at quarterback. He was perfect on the day, going 9 for 9 for 220 yards and three TDs.

Norway also received contributions from Owen Baij (4 catches, 151 yards, 3 TDs; 9 carries, 131 yards, 2 TDs), Bryce Adams (3 catches, 58 yards), Keith Burcar Jr. (16 tackles, 3 for loss), Andrew Hautamaki (11 tackles, 1 loss) and Josh Schiltz (10 tackles).

The Knights ended the regular season at 7-2 and will play Ishpeming in the first round of the MHSAA 8-player Division 1 playoffs.