Stephenson's Donny Stazzinski (1) is dragged down by Lake Linden-Hubbell’s Ben Tampas (73) and teammates on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Lake Linden, Mich. (Eddie O’Neill/The Daily Mining Gazette)

LAKE LINDEN — For parents and fans of Lake Linden-Hubbell football, the last three minutes of Saturday’s homecoming game against the Stephenson Eagles were a nail-bitter.

The Lakes held on for a 34-30 win after Stephenson made a late charge.

The Lakes (4-2) had a 34-24 lead headed into the fourth quarter and it stayed that way until the 2:21 mark. That quickly changed.

That’s when Stephenson quarterback Canaan Elson hit Ethan Anderson down field for an 82-yard pass play which ended with a touchdown. Momentum shifted on the Eagle’s side facing a 34-30 deficit.

The Eagles (2-4) then issued a squib kick but it was pounced upon by the Lakes. All Lake Linden had to do was run down the clock but a fumbled snap was recovered by the Eagles at the Lakes 40.

With 1:10 on the clock, the Eagles had a chance to score. Elson missed on his first throw down field. On his second attempt, he stepped back in the pocket and launched another big throw, however this time it fell into the hands of a Lakes receiver. With that, LL-H took over on downs and ran out the clock for the win.

Travis Ongie had 138 rushing yards and two TDs on 14 carries for the Lakes.

Lakes head coach Brett Gervais said that it was his offensive line that made Saturday’s game.

“I can’t say enough about our front line,” he said. “They give our quarterbacks time to make the plays. This was certainly a complete-game win for us.”

The game opened up as a tale of two offenses. Stephenson led the aerial attack with 296 total yards. LL-H had just 30 in passing yards for the game. On the other hand, the Lakes ran for 247 total yards while the Eagles just had 81.

While Stephenson got on the board first with a short touchdown run, they missed the two-point conversion. The Lakes countered with a Danny Marcotte 14-yard run, and he followed with a successful two point conversion and put them up by two. The Lakes never looked back.

“Both teams wanted it and both teams were really good and hats off to Lake Linden as they proved to be the better team today,” said Stephenson head coach Logan Carlson.

Both coaches were pleased with their team’s performance.

“Our guys got fired up and I couldn’t ask for much more,” Carlson said. “We had guys step up this week and they played hard.”

SHS 6 12 6 6 — 30

LL-H 8 20 6 0 — 34

First Quarter

SHS — Elson 1 run (2-point failed) 4:05.

LL-H — Marcotte 14 run (2-point conversion) 1:10.

Second Quarter

LL-H — Sutherland 30 pass from Marcotte (2-point failed) 8:13.

SHS — Anderson 58 pass from Elson (2-point failed) 7:14.

LL-H — Ongie 59 run (2-point failed) 3:52.

SHS — Schmidt 49 pass from Elson (2-point failed) 2:25.

LL-H — Ongie 1 run (2-point failed) 0:44.

Third Quarter

LL-H — Roberts 9 run (2-point failed) 3:50.

SHS — Schmidt 38 pass from Elson (2-point failed) 1:22.

Fourth Quarter

SHS — Anderson 82 pass from Elson (2-point failed) 2:21.