The Hancock Bulldogs and L’Anse Purple Hornets both moved up in the latest Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Poll. Hancock (4-1, 3-1 West-PAC) moved into the No. 5 spot after defeating the Calumet Copper Kings (3-2, 2-2) 42-24, while L’Anse (4-1, 3-0) edged the Hurley Midgets (3-2. 3-2) 20-18.

With leading receiver Logan Fish going down with an injury against Hurley, the Purple Hornets relied on their ground game and kept feeding Foster Miller, who finished with 227 yards rushing. In the last two weeks, Miller has gained 445 yards on the ground.

This week, L’Anse hosts the Gogbeic Miners (1-4, 1-4) as the Purple Hornets will look to maintain a tie for the top spot in the West-PAC with the No. 4 West Iron County Wykons (4-1, 3-0). The Wykons host Calumet on Friday.

The Copper Kings have one of the most difficult stretches as they prepare to qualify for the playoffs; West Iron County, L’Anse, Gogebic and Gladstone are a combined 14-6.

Hancock will look to keep pace in the West-PAC when they host Hurley.

The Houghton Gremlins will have their best chance to win a game this season when they host the Northland Pines Eagles (1-5, 1-3). Houghton nearly pulled the upset against WIC, losing 7-0. Northland Pines is coming off a 20-14 win over Gogebic.

The Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes earned their first victory of the season on Saturday, defeating the Newberry Indians 34-20. The Lakes’ running game went off for 264 yards on 50 attempts (5.3) and was led by the 145 yards and three touchdowns from James Tuovila. LL-H heads to No. 5 Bark River-Harris on Saturday.

In eight-person football, the No. 4 Ontonagon Gladiators scored a 34-6 win over the North Dickinson Nordics. The Gladiators (3-1) will now travel to face the No. 1-ranked eight-person team in the state: Stephenson Eagles (5-0).

BIG FIVE

1. Menominee (5) 4-1 29

2. Escanaba 4-1 22

3. Kingsford 3-1 17

4. Gladstone (1) 5-0 15

5. Hancock 4-1 5

Honorable mention: Marquette 2-3 2

LITTLE FIVE

1. Norway (6) 5-0 30

2. Westwood 4-1 24

3. L’Anse 4-1 18

4. WIC 4-1 11

5. BR-Harris 3-2 4

Honorable mention: Newberry 3-2 3

EIGHT-PERSON

1. Stephenson (7) 5-0 30

2. Rapid River 5-0 23

3. Pickford 5-0 14

4. Ontonagon 3-1 8

5. Cedarville 5-0 7

Honorable mention: Forest Park 3-2 5. North Central 2-2, Engadine 4-1 1