Football: No. 2 Jets top No. 4 Lakes in wintry weather
Lake Linden-Hubbell's Brandon Lavigne (5) rushes while being chased by North Central's Caden Tietz (44) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
LAKE LINDEN — Luke Gorzinski and the North Central Jets simply don’t know how to slow down, even in a time when COVID-19 restrictions make it inevitable for idle times as games were postponed.
In the Jets’ first game after a two-week hiatus because of COVID-19, Gorzinski and the Jets showed why they’re the No. 2 team in the state.
On a cold and soggy day characterized by a 31 degree temperature with snow at kickoff, that warmed just enough into rain in the second half, North Central and Lake Linden-Hubbell traded blows at Warner Field.
When the mud settled, the U.P. Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association No. 2 Jets were 34-22 victors over the No. 4 Lakes.
But it wasn’t always so easy for the Jets, who at one point held a 20-point lead. The Lakes (2-3) later made it a six-point game.
Lake Linden-Hubbell's Caleb Klein (33) rushes as North Central's Luke Kleiman (21) pursues on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
It was the 18th meeting between the schools and the first since North Central’s 22-14 win in 2013.
It was the first real test for Lake Linden-Hubbell in its first season of eight-player football.
But in the end, the Jets were too much for the Lakes to handle.
Gorzinski paced North Central’s offense with 187 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 38 carries. He also completed 5 of 10 passes for 108 yards.
The Jets put up 283 yards of total offense, while Lake Linden-Hubbell amassed 305 yards.
Lake Linden-Hubbell's Isaac Codere (77) pursues North Central quarterback Luke Gorzinski (11) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
It was Gorzinski’s and the rest of North Central’s first time on the field in half a month.
“Hats off to Lake Linden. That was just a good physical football game,” said North Central head coach Leo Gorzinski. “We are missing six of our normal starters due to COVID-19. In fact, we have been off for two weeks without a practice. When the kids got on the bus today, it was our first football activity in two weeks.”
The Jets (5-0), who are also ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press poll, didn’t seem to have missed a step. Despite a few mishaps that could easily have been attributed to miserable weather conditions, North Central looked strong.
“We had players step up and show heart and guts,” Gorzinski said. “That heart and soul put the Jets on the score board three times before the Lakes posted any points.”
On their first possession in the first quarter, Gorzinski led a 53-yard drive that culminated in his 22-yard touchdown run.
Lake Linden-Hubbell's Bode Brinkman (15) rushes behind a block by Caleb Klein (33) on North Central's Caden Tietz (44) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
On the Lakes’ ensuing possession, North Central’s Carter Eichmeier intercepted a deflected pass on the line of scrimmage and returned it about 30 yards for the score and a 12-0 lead.
As the second quarter got under way, it became a 20-0 contest as the Jets put together a 91-yard drive which ended with a Gorzinski touchdown and a successful two-point conversion.
It did not take long into the second that the Jets bread and butter was their quarterback. The game began to look like Gorzinski versus the Lakes and rightfully so, according to their coach.
“Luke Gorzinski is the heart and soul of this team,” said the Jets coach. “We were having trouble today with some of the ball handling there in the first, so Luke became our go-to guy.”
The Lakes finally got on the scoreboard, and they did it in quick fashion on the ground at about half way through the second. First it was a 61-yard run by Caleb Klein. On the next possession, quarterback Brandon LaVigne broke loose for a 75-yard score down the sidelines. With the two-point conversion good it became a one-possession contest at 20-16.
A pass intended for Lake Linden-Hubbell's Mason Codere (81) is broken up by North Central defenders Luke Kleiman (21) and Luke Gorzinski (11) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
But the Lakes’ luck ran out shortly after. With just under a minute to go in the first half, LaVigne squared up to punt and was blocked by the Jets. Three plays later Gorzinski worked his touchdown magic again to make it 28-16 at halftime.
Lakes head coach Brett Gervais gave his team kudos in the locker room for their hard work.
“I told them that the conditions on the field are terrible,” Gervais said. “There were fumbles all over the place, but I saw a lot of fight in our guys. Even better, I saw a lot of fight even till the end.”
As the third quarter got under way, both teams traded possession at around the mid-field. However, as the clock reached the 7:30 mark, the Lakes thought they had made it a one-possession game when they took over at their 29.
LaVigne took the snap, pumped faked and hit a wide-open Will Lyons at the 50-yard line. Lyons turned and darted into the end zone for a 72-yard score. But it was called back with an illegal block in the back by the Lakes.
North Central quarterback Luke Gorzinski (11) rushes while being pursued by Lake Linden-Hubbell's Mason Codere (81) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
The Lakes redeemed the penalty as Klein, just minutes later, cut to the outside on a 30-yard dash to make the score 28-22 headed into the fourth.
But, that was as the Lakes came within the Jets. Gorzinski ran for his fourth score with 16 seconds left in the third, the final points of the game.
Klein led the Lakes’ rushing attack with 146 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Lavigne rushed 97 yards with a touchdown on 11 attempts.
LaVigne completed 2 of 5 passes for 56 yards and an interception.
North Central receiver Ian Gorzinski caught four passes for 95 yards. LL-H’s Lyons caught one pass for 32 yards and Mason Codere caught the other for 31 yards.
Gorzinski’s 187-yard rushing day was capped by Lakes defensive stalwarts Isaac Codere and Lyons, who combined for 27 tackles on the day. Codere had 15 tackles and a sack while Lyons had 12 tackles and a sack. Klein also had eight tackles. Ben Tampas had six tackles and two sacks.
In facing a top-five team in the state, the Lakes defense, despite giving up points, had challenged a deep Jets offense.
“It was a good situation for us to play them,” Gervais said. “It was a high level of football and this is how we learn. After a two-week hiatus we are all just glad to be out here playing.”
The Lakes play at Munising on Friday.
North Central 12 16 6 0 — 34
Lake Linden-Hubbell 0 16 6 0 — 22
First Quarter
NC — L. Gorzinski 22 run (2-point failed), 9:59.
NC — Eichmeier 30 interception return (2-point failed), 6:23.
Second Quarter
NC — L. Gorzinski 12 run (2-point conversion), 8:01.
LL-H — Klein 61 run (2-point conversion), 7:48.
LL-H — Lavigne 75 run (2-point conversion), 4:16.
NC — Gorzinski 2 run (2-point conversion), 0:19.
Third Quarter
LL-H — Klein 31 run (2-point failed), 5:54.
NC — L. Gorzinski 8 run (2-point failed), 0:16.
Individual Statistics
RUSHING — North Central, L. Gorzinski 38-187, I. Gorzinski 5-(minus 12). Lake Linden-Hubbell, Klein 19-146, Lavigne 11-97, Brinkman 4-(minus 1).
PASSING — North Central, L. Gorzinski 5-10-0-108. Lake Linden-Hubbell, Lavigne 2-5-1-56, Brinkman 1-2-0-7, Klein 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING — North Central, I. Gorzinski 4-95, Casperson 1-13. Lake Linden-Hubbell, Lyons 1-32, M. Codere 2-31.
North Central quarterback Luke Gorzinski (11) rushes while being pursued by Lake Linden-Hubbell's Kirby Koskela (52) and Isaac Codere (77) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
Lake Linden-Hubbell in action against North Central on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
North Central's Luke Gorzinski (11) throws a pass while being tackled by Lake Linden-Hubbell's Bode Brinkman (15) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
Lake Linden-Hubbell's Caleb Klein (33) throws a pass while being tackled by North Central's Carter Eichmeier (80) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
A pass thrown by Lake Linden-Hubbell quarterback Brandon Lavigne is tipped into the air and intercepted and returned for a 30-yard touchdown by North Central's Carter Eichmeier (80) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
North Central's Luke Gorzinski (11) is tackled by Lake Linden-Hubbell's Caleb Klein (33) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
North Central's Ian Gorzinski (8) catches a pass while being defended by Lake Linden-Hubbell's Mason Codere (81) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
Lake Linden-Hubbell's Will Lyons (10) carries the ball while being pursued by North Central's Brent LaBonte (12) and Gavin Casperson (23) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
Lake Linden-Hubbell's Brandon Lavigne (5) throws as North Central's Caden Tietz (44) pursues on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
The Lake Linden-Hubbell High School football team looks on from the sidelines during a game against North Central on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
North Central's Gavin Casperson punts the ball after fumbling the snap while being tackled by Lake Linden-Hubbell's Ben Tampas (73) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
Lake Linden-Hubbell's Caleb Klein (33) deflects a pass intended for North Central's Ian Gorzinski (8) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
A pass sails beyond the reach of Lake Linden-Hubbell's Mason Codere (81) during a game against North Central on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
Lake Linden-Hubbell's Randy Roberts (22) and Isaiah Brennan (23) look on from the sidelines during a game against North Central on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
Lake Linden-Hubbell's Bode Brinkman (15) and Caleb Klein (33) recover a fumble against North Central on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
Lake Linden-Hubbell's Marcus Sutherland (82) and Isaac Codere (77) talk with head coach Brett Gervais in a timeout during a game against North Central on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
Lake Linden-Hubbell's Bode Brinkman (15) celebrates a touchdown against North Central on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
A fan looks on from behind the North Central bench during a game against Lake Linden-Hubbell on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
Lake Linden-Hubbell's Caleb Klein (33) is tackled by North Central's Luke Gorzinski (11) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
North Central's Luke Gorzinski (11) scores a two-point conversion against Lake Linden-Hubbell on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)
Local Sports
Running man: Lange named GLIAC Track Athlete of the Week
Windigo take commanding lead of series with Jets
Gremlins softball sweeps Flivvers
KINGSFORD — With an eight-run first inning Friday, the Houghton Gremlins softball team cruised to a 14-4 win in ...
Special Olympics unites community
Bulldogs softball splits at Coleman
COLEMAN, Wis. — The Hancock Bulldogs hit the road over the weekend to take on the Coleman Cougars. Hancock won ...
