NIAGARA, Wis. — Brayden Bartels threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as the Niagara Badgers blanked Three Lakes 28-0 in a Northeast Conference eight-player game Thursday.

“Three Lakes is a tough football team, and I’m really proud of how hard our kids battled,” said Niagara coach Ben Laarman.

The Badgers broke a scoreless tie late in the second quarter on a 6-yard pass from Bartels to Owen Dunkes. After a quick stop, Niagara scored before the end of the half on a 41-yard pass from Bartels to Dunkes.

The Badgers got the ball to start the second half and moved quickly to the goal line where Connor Guardiola punched it in on a 1-yard plunge and a 22-0 lead.

“It was those three drives right before and after halftime that really made the difference,” Laarman said. “Our defense played really well. We did give up some plays but then made some stands in the red zone. Other times we were able to make big plays like sacks and interceptions to get the ball back to our offense.”

Bartels ended the scoring with a 21-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Dunkes had two receptions for 47 yards and two TDs. Wyatt Dunkes caught two passes for 49 yards.

Bartels finished with 166 yards rushing on 15 carries. Through the air, he was 7 of 9 for 99 yards, with one interception. After the second-quarter TDs, he completed a two-point conversion pass to Owen Dunkes and ran for another conversion.

Guardiola and Mason Whaley led the defense with nine tackles each. Whaley had 1 1/2 sacks and Wyatt Dunkes recorded seven tackles.

In other action Thursday, Gibraltar defeated Florence 49-20.

Niagara (1-1) will host Wausaukee (1-1) at 7 p.m. Friday in a conference game.