CADILLAC — The Alpena Wildcats could not overcome Cadillac’s rushing attack, penalties and costly mistakes Thursday night, falling 34-21 to the Vikings in a Big North Conference football game.
Cadillac scored five rushing touchdowns and converted a blocked punt into points at home. The loss moved Alpena to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play, while Cadillac improved to 1-0 in the Big North.
Alpena strikes first, but Cadillac answers
Alpena opened with an early defensive play when Brody Misiak tipped a Cadillac pass and Gavin Ross intercepted it. The Wildcats took over at the Vikings’ 32-yard line, and Misiak finished the short drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. The extra point gave Alpena a 7-0 lead.
Cadillac responded quickly. Ian Metzger scored on a 17-yard run with 8:12 remaining in the first quarter to tie the game. Alpena then started at its own 45-yard line after Ross returned the kickoff, but the Wildcats went three-and-out.
Alpena later lost the ball on a fumbled toss and failed to convert on fourth-and-23. Cadillac took possession with 3:38 left in the quarter, and Domenic Wing scored on an 11-yard run. The Vikings led 14-7 after one quarter, and that score remained unchanged through halftime.
Blocked punt widens the gap
Cadillac extended its advantage early in the third quarter. After Alpena quarterback Eion Eades slipped on third-and-5, the resulting fourth-and-14 punt was blocked. Cadillac recovered at the Alpena 20-yard line, and Wing scored on a quarterback keeper to make it 21-7.
Andrew Szymoniak gave the Wildcats an immediate answer. Lined up in the wildcat formation on third-and-1 from the Alpena 42, he broke free for a 58-yard touchdown. The score cut Cadillac’s lead to 21-14.
MacGregor McClintic then stopped a potential Cadillac kickoff return for a touchdown by forcing the runner out of bounds at the 8-yard line. The Vikings still drove for another score, with Metzger running 12 yards for a touchdown and a 28-14 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Szymoniak keeps Alpena within reach
Szymoniak scored again in the fourth quarter, breaking a 45-yard touchdown run on second-and-16 from the Cadillac 45. The extra point pulled Alpena within 28-21 with 7:57 remaining.
Cadillac put the game away on its next possession. Starting at the Vikings’ 38-yard line, the drive ended when David Nobles scored on a 1-yard run with 2:08 left for the final margin.
Szymoniak’s two long touchdown runs accounted for Alpena’s only second-half points. Coach DJ Szymoniak said the Wildcats’ effort provided something to build on despite the loss.
“The biggest thing is the kids didn’t stop fighting,” he said. “They know we are going to make mistakes. Nobody plays mistake-free football.”
Alpena will try to rebound Friday at Escanaba in a 7 p.m. league game. The Eskymos are 0-2 after losses to Kingsford and Gaylord.