Hurons smother Tigers: host Saints Friday

Rogers City (2-1) took advantage of every Alcona (1-2) turnover in a 40-0 pasting of the Tigers Friday at Gilpin Field. That sets up a contest at home against St. Ignace, renewing a memorable rivalry over Coach Bob Brietzke?s 22 year career. Brietzke?s teams have gone 8-11 (no game was played in 1990, 1991, or 1988) with the Saints, with the majority of the games one-sided, one way or the other. The teams have taken turns beating up on each other over the years, with the average margin of victory over that span at an incredible 25.5 points.

Just four games were decided by a touchdown or less, with each team winning two of those. The Hurons have blown out the Saints on occasion (55-7 in ?99, 42-0 in ?97 and 43-6 in ?81) and the Saints have returned the favor (49-6 in ?02, 62-34 in ?96, and 46-13 in ?92). After two straight wins in his first two seasons, Brietzke?s teams lost eight straight to the Saints. A 48-19 win in 1994 broke that string and the Hurons have gone 6-3 against the Saints since then.

COACH BRIETZKE talked about his favorite game with St. Ignace in the Hurons? Silverdome season of 1982. ?At halftime, the score was tied at 14. In the second half our all-state tandem of quarterback Steve Urban and receiver Kent Karsten hooked up on three long pass plays. On two of the plays, Kent scored TDs. On the third he was tackled on the Saints? two yard-line,? Brietzke said. Rogers City won that game 40-14 and took the Class C runner-up honors that season. St. Ignace would win the state championship in 1983. The win is important in the hunt for the Straits Area Conference championship and the playoff drive for the Hurons. Six wins are needed to get into the MHSAA playoffs.

?This is a home game. We need to win our home games because it?s tough to beat a good team on their home field. St. Ignace is undefeated and loaded with talent. It should be a good game,? he said.

LAST FRIDAY, senior fullback Judd Vekaryasz, playing in his first game of the season after coming off the injured list, carried in with 8:46 to go in the first quarter to open the scoring. He led the ground attack with 57 yards on 16 carries. The TD run came at the end of the game’s opening drive, highlighted by strong offensive line blocking, which cleared holes for Huron runners Dylan Centala, Dustin Streich, Tyler Schuiteman, and Justin Kelley. Kelley ran in the conversion. Alcona fumbled on its first two possessions and Kyle Greene recovered each one. On the second one, Greene scooped up the ball and rambled 28 yards for the second score.

IN THE SECOND quarter, the Hurons made good on a fourth-and-three at the Tiger 41, and seven plays later Centala scored from the one. Cercone hooked up with Greene for the two-pointer and the Hurons led 24-0 with 10:37 left in the second quarter. ?I believe the ability to consistently move the ball through the air has been a pleasant surprise. I feel the play-action on most of our pass plays causes problems for our opponents? pass defenders,? Brietzke said. Cercone continued to be very accurate, hitting on 15-of-22 passes for 187 yards and two TDs. Following a 57-yard Alcona punt, deep in the Tigers? own end, Cercone hit sophomore end Cody Wenzel in stride for a 62-yard TD pass. A Cercone-to Kelley pass for the PAT made it 32-0 at halftime. A quick score in the third quarter brought out the running clock, and the Hurons would score again. Cercone moved out of the pocket, scrambled to his left, set up, and found Wenzel in the end zone for the final Huron TD. A pass to Greene gave the Hurons the final margin. Greene had a great day on both sides of the ball. He caught eight passes for 77 yards, and snared three two-point conversions. He made three solo and two assisted tackles, while recovering two fumbles, one ran back for a TD.

WHILE THE offense piled up points, defensive c

oach Mike Kosiara had the Alcona attack shut out. The Hurons dominated the line of scrimmage and controlled the game. ?The Hurons need to play well in the big games,? Brietzke said. ?Powerful opponents like Boyne City, St. Ignace, Benzie Central and Kingsley will bury the Hurons unless we play well, avoid turnovers, and make some big plays both on offense and defense and are sound in the kicking game.? The Hurons play at Benzie Central (2-1) September 26 before returning to host Rudyard (1-2) October 3. Friday?s game will be broadcast on WVXA, 96.7 FM. Karl Grambau, the voice of the Hurons, does the play by play.

Statistics: Total offense: Rogers City 187 passing, 162 rushing. Alcona 25 passing, 218 rushing. Individual: Passing: Cercone 15-of-22, 187 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT. Receiving: Greene 8/77/0; Wenzel 3/92/2; Vekaryasz 2/13/0; Centala 1/7/0; Fairbanks 1/3/0. Rushing: Vekaryasz 16/57/1; Centala 7/38/1; Streich 6/52/0; Fairbanks 2/0/0; Schuiteman 1/9/0; Kelley 2/-2/0. Defense: Tackles- Heinzel 12; Konieczny 10, Kelley 10, Darga 4, Greene 3. Fumble recoveries: Greene 2, Heinzel and Konieczny 1 each.