Houghton running back Brayden Goudge (8) tries to turn the corner on the Kingsford defense during a game Friday night at Alumni Field in Houghton. (Kent Kraft photo)

HOUGHTON — The first quarter of football at home for the Houghton Gremlins this season was a tense back-and-forth against Kingsford. As the second quarter got underway, the Flivvers found momentum and never looked back, winning 29-6.

The Gremlins received the opening kickoff and started the drive with a 15-yard run from Brayden Goudge. Their next two runs from Cael DeVoge and Goudge were for small gains, until Goudge once again broke through the Flivvers defense for a 12-yard gain. DeVoge was then tackled in the backfield, the Gremlins had a delay of game penalty, Goudge was stopped at the line, and quarterback Brody Donnelly tossed up an incomplete pass, which were three back-to-back plays that forced a punt.

Taking over on offense from their own 16, the Flivvers showed their game plan with two breakout runs from quarterback Jack Kriegl, one for 13 yards and a second for 14 yards. Ian Spencer had a run for two yards, followed by another breakout from Kriegl who went for 28 yards. Jack Olson moved the ball forward 11 more yards for the Flivvers before being matched by another run from Kriegl. Unfortunately for the Flivvers, Kriegl fumbled the ball on his last run, turning the ball over to the Gremlins.

Starting on their own 5, the Gremlins tried to make some space but the punt squad gain went out onto the field.

Runs and passes by Kriegl were followed by two long runs from Spencer, which moved the Flivvers all the way to the Houghton 10 as the first quarter came to a close.

The Houghton defense stepped up to stuff Kriegl at the line on his next run and then kept the next pass to Briar Braden to a no-gain as well. On third down, Kriegl managed to run for seven yards, eluding a few Houghton defenders along the way. A fourth down and three from the three-yard-line was too tempting to pass up for the Flivvers, and Kriegl managed to dash into the endzone for the first score of the game.

Houghton was soon forced to punt, but Goudge sent a line drive down the field that took several favorable bounces, going more than 60 yards and pinning the Flivvers back on their own 2. The first run from Kriegl went for six yards. His next went for 92 as he scampered down the field, nearly untouched, for another Flivvers touchdown. After the extra point, the score was 14-0.

Another three-and-out ensued for Houghton. Starting from their own 32, the Flivvers moved the ball quickly again. Deep in Houghton territory, as time remained for one more play, Kriegl went back to pass. Goudge, on defense for the Gremlins, put pressure on Kriegl who threw up a pass towards the end zone. Another Gremlin was ready for it, jumping up and batting the ball to the ground.

As the second half started, the Flivvers worked on putting the game away. A lengthy first drive that took nearly half of the third quarter saw runs from Kriegl, Spencer, and Olson, all for positive gains. This drive was capped off by a 16-yard run by Spencer, a personal foul on the Gremlins that pushed the Flivvers 15 yards farther, and a touchdown run of 24 yards from Spencer.

On the extra point, the Gremlins were offside and the Flivvers used their new field position to try and convert a two-point attempt. Kriegl ran the ball in, giving the Flivvers a 22-0 lead.

After Houghton fielded the kickoff and sent their offense out, Goudge ran for three yards before being brought down and staying down with an injury. He was soon up and running off the field. In his absence in the next few plays, Donnelly had a short gain run and two incomplete passes, leading to the Gremlins punting once more.

The Flivvers started their drive on the Houghton 37-yard-line. Spencer ran for four yards, Olson ran for 13, and Braden ran for 17 yards and a three-yard-touchdown. After the extra point, the Flivvers were up 29-0.

Later, a fumble recovery by the Gremlins gave their offense their first chance to start in Flivver territory.

An incomplete pass from Donnelly drew a pass interference call on the Flivvers, pushing the ball all the way to the Flivvers’ 10. On fourth down from the two-yard-line, Donnelly took the ball in for the touchdown, giving Houghton a brief spark. The Gremlins, however, did not manage to score on a final offensive drive, running out the time a few yards from the end zone.

Kingsford (1-1) has its first home game of the season Friday, hosting Gladstone.