Hancock's Austin Salani outruns Munising defenders on his way to a second quarter touchdown Friday in Hancock. Salani totaled 243 yards rushing in a 41-0 win at McAfee Field. (Paul Peterson/For the Gazette)

HANCOCK — The Munising Mustangs will probably see Hancock tailback Austin Salani in their dreams after Friday’s football game at McAfee Field.

The junior back rushed for 243 yards and scored four times in a 41-0 Hancock victory. Salani also tossed in 78-yard fumble recovery for a score.

HCHS coach Ramon Sague said Salani is always capable of that kind of game.

“Austin had a tremendous game tonight,” Sague said. “He did it all for us. Not only did he run the ball, he also picked up that fumble and took it to the house.”

The win lifted the Bulldogs to 4-1 on the season, lifting hopes of playoffs.

But Sague said the postseason is never mentioned in Crimson and Gold territory.

“We don’t even mention that word around here,” he said. “Our goal is a winning season — anything else will take care of itself.”

The Mustangs, using an effective spread offense, gave the Bulldogs a tussle in the opening half.

Trailing by just a 6-0 margin in the second quarter, MHS drove to the HA-12 before fumbling the ball.

Salani scooped up the ball and went the distance.

“That was a big play,” Sague said. “They (Mustangs) were moving the ball and ready to tie it or go ahead.”

Salani, who scored on a 12-yard run to begin the game, tacked on a 4-yard TD just before the half ended to make it 20-0.

Austin Salani added a 5-yard scoring run to make it 27-0 late in the third frame.

The score swelled to 34-0 in the fourth quarter on a 14-yard scamper by Salani. That was set up by an interception by Shane Aho deep in MHS territory.

The final points were provided by backup back Brandon Pietila’s four-yard jaun.

Quarterback Colton Salani had a fine passing game as well for the winners, passing for 85 yards. Conner LeClaire snagged three passes for 61 yards.

The Bulldogs will host Westwood in a big game next Friday.

“We know that one will be tough,” Sague said. “We have to prepare ourselves.”

Munising 0 0 0 0 — 0

Hancock 6 14 14 7 — 41

First Quarter

H — A. Salani 12 run (kick failed)

Second Quarter

H — C. Salani 78 fumble recovery (C. Salani run

H — A. Salani 4 run (kick failed

Third Quarter

H — A. Salani 14 run (C. Salani kick)

H — A. Salanik 14 run (C. Salani kick)

Fourth Quarter

H — Pietila 4 run (C. Salani kick)