The Copper Kings’ Garrett Peterson crosses the goal line for a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Bulldogs Friday at McAfee Field in Hancock. (Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette)

HANCOCK — The Calumet Copper Kings’ offensive made short order of the Hancock Bulldogs’ offensive on Friday night at McAfee Field in a 38-6 rout.

It took less than two minutes after the kickoff for the Copper Kings (5-3) to find the end zone courtesy of Amar Patterson. It would be Patterson’s first of two touchdowns on the evening, and it certainly set the tone for this lopsided match up.

“We took care of the ball well,” said Calumet coach Josh Frantti. “Our guys up front did a great job of establishing the line of scrimmage.”

On the other side of the field, Bulldogs coach Ramon Sague admitted as much.

“They ran right through us,” he said. “We couldn’t make the defensive adjustments that we needed.”

The Copper Kings posted an impressive 410 yards of total offense. Hancock (2-7) had just 185. The Copper Kings ran for 363 yards and threw for 47. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, ran for 125 yards and had 60 yards in receiving.

Brayden Nelson and Garrett Peterson both had running touchdowns for the Copper Kings to close out the first quarter and give the boys from Calumet a 21-0 lead after 12 minutes.

Nelson opened the second quarter with a 33-yard cut up the middle that ended in the end zone and six points. Patterson doubled that with less than three minutes to go in the second with an impressive 79-yard dash and a touchdown.

Xander Hoffman capped off the second quarter and first half for the Copper Kings with a 19-yard field goal. The junior kicker was 6-6 in his kicking attempts against the Bulldogs.

Calumet led 38-0 at half time.

If there were any bright spots in this one for the Bulldogs, it was their play in the second half. They were able to shut out the Copper Kings and scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter by way of Bryce Hanner who ran one in for six.

Sague knew this would be his senior players last game as they were scheduled to close their season with a game against West Iron County this weekend. However, the Wykons had to cancel their football program earlier this season due to lack of players and injuries.

“Dylan Dube (senior) was able to do the opening kickoff,” said Sague. “He was out for most of the season as was Warren Pennala who had a good game. So that was good to see.”

He added kudos to his two running backs Simon Rajala and Trevor Halonen.

“Those two worked hard all season,” Sague said. “They did not have a lot of blocking and played tough game in and game out.”

Segue said that despite a losing record, this year’s Bulldogs season was anything but negative.

“It was a great group of guys to work with,” he said. “They were always positive, and I wish we could have gone out with a win.”

While he will lose eight seniors, he will gain a strong junior class next year.

“Our future looks bright,” Sague added. “Our whole offensive line this year was juniors, and we will have more number to work with. So, I am excited.

Up next

The Copper Kings will head to L’Anse to close out their season on Friday.