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Stephenson hosted Niagara in non-conference eight-player football Thursday, hanging on for a 40-38 win.
The Badgers reached the 1-yard line on a long pass with seconds remaining, but couldn’t spike the ball successfully to attempt another play.
The game was arranged Thursday morning after Florence earlier in the week had called off its scheduled game with Niagara. Mid-Peninsula then canceled with Stephenson, setting up the last-minute matchup.
“We turned the ball over on downs twice inside Stephenson’s 10-yard line and gave up a ton of huge plays on defense,” said Niagara coach Ben Laarman. “Not having any time to prepare for Stephenson’s offense certainly played a role in that, but we also lapsed in our fundamentals and Stephenson has some great playmakers, particularly their quarterback (Nolan Ruleau).”
The game was tied at 14 at halftime, but Stephenson took a 28-14 lead on the last play of the third quarter. The Badgers responded with two TDs to take a 30-28 lead halfway through the fourth.
“We got an interception by Abain Patterson but then had to punt, and they responded with a 78-yard touchdown pass to take a 34-30 lead,” Laarman said.
The Badgers went 68 yards in two plays to go up 38-34, but the Eagles scored on a pass to take a 40-38 lead with about 40 seconds remaining.
“I’m really proud of how hard the boys played,” Laarman said. “They played their hearts out. It hurts to come up just short, but I think they had a blast playing in such a great game and should feel proud of their efforts.”
Niagara’s Sawyer Rouse completed 9 of 17 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Owen Dunkes tossed one pass for 32 yards.
Dunkes was the leading rusher with 162 yards on 22 carries. Parker LaFave gained 47 yards in 12 trips.
Dunkes scored a pair of two-point conversions while Rouse and Parker LaFave each had one.
Along with his interception, Patterson had five receptions for 72 yards. Dunkes caught two passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, while Landon Sweig had two catches for 50 yards and a TD. Myles Laarman had one catch for 26 yards.
Rouse picked off an Eagles pass and returned it 30 yards. Jesse Wahlstrom recovered a fumble that was forced by Patterson.
Dunkes, Wahlstrom, Landon Sweig and Mason Whaley were the leading tacklers.
PREP FOOTBALL SCORES
Thursday, Sept. 3
8-PLAYER
Forest Park 41, Munising 14
North Dickinson 58, Superior Central 30
Norway 50, Bessemer 0
Newberry 42, Brimley 12
Stephenson 40, Niagara 38
Suring 56, Goodman-Pembine 6
11-PLAYER
Kingsford 34, Houghton 6
Bark River-Harris 54, Gwinn 6
Calumet 27, Westwood 8
L’Anse 36, Manistique 22
Menominee 49, Marquette 19
Hancock 58, West Iron 0
Gaylord 35, Escanaba 25
Friday, Sept. 4
11-PLAYER
Negaunee 42, Gladstone 6
North Muskegon 19, Iron Mountain 14
Calumet 24, Ontonagon 22
Petoskey 52, Sault Ste Marie 8
8-PLAYER
Pickford 55, Rudyard 6
Lake Linden-Hubbell 44, Ironwood 14
Pickford 55, Rudyard 6