Copper Kings football remains undefeated with win over Miners
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CALUMET -- Two traditional powerhouse Upper Peninsula football teams met at Agassiz Field. One team would remain undefeated, the other would lick their wounds on the way home. When the clock expired Friday night, the Calumet Copper Kings emerged victorious over the Negaunee Miners, 21-18.
With the win, the Copper Kings improved to 3-0.
Oskar Loukus found a way to be involved in nearly everything Calumet did. He ran the ball 13 times for 77 yards and a touchdown. He had the lone catch by a Copper Kings receiver. He kicked one extra-point, and ran in a two-point conversion as well.
Defensively, he added one solo tackle and two tackle assists.
The Copper Kings, who ran 65 plays for 230 of offense, 219 of which came on the ground, struck first in the opening quarter of play.
Trent Anderson capped Calumet's scoring drive with a five-yard run. Loukus kicked the extra point to put the hosts up 7-0.
Negaunee, who ran 46 plays for 259 yards of offense, scored twice in the second quarter, first on a one-yard run and then on a 24-yard pass, to take a 12-6 lead into halftime after both of their two-point conversions failed.
Calumet responded in the third quarter as Tyler Halonen capped a drive with a one-yard touchdown run. After a failed two-point conversion, the Copper Kings took a 13-12 lead into the fourth quarter.
Negaunee struck again on a 13-yard passing play, but again missed the conversion, taking a five-point lead, 18-13.
Needing a response, Calumet found it when Loukus scored from 12 yards out. He then got the call for the two-point conversion and crossed the goal line on it as well, putting the Copper Kings ahead 21-18.
Halonen was 1-for-2 through the air for 11 yards. He also ran the ball 21 times for 70 yards and a touchdown.
Anderson ran 17 times for 59 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Anderson led the way with four solo tackles and seven tackle assists.
Up next
The Copper Kings are back on the road this Friday, facing Menominee. Opening kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The Maroons are also 3-0 after defeating Westwood Friday night.