The Alpena Wildcats return home Friday looking to reset after a 29-12 Big North Conference loss at Escanaba Athletic Field. The defeat dropped Alpena to 1-2 overall and 0-2 in league play, while Escanaba improved to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
Friday’s game against Gaylord is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Park Family Field at Wildcat Stadium. The contest is listed as Valor Night, Alpena’s annual tribute to veterans and first responders. The program is a tradition Wildcats coach DJ Szymoniak brought with him from Gaylord. An F-16 flyover is also scheduled, a fitting addition for a city that shares a runway with the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center.
Escanaba pulls away after Alpena’s fast start
Alpena’s strongest early response came from senior quarterback Andrew Szymoniak. After junior Cash Moughon broke up a fourth-and-7 pass to force a turnover on downs, Szymoniak kept the ball on an option play and ran 64 yards for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt missed, leaving Escanaba ahead 7-6 after the first quarter.
The Wildcats stayed within reach until Escanaba scored twice in less than three minutes during the second quarter. Brody Levesque’s catch-and-run set up a short touchdown by Escanaba junior Bryce Bichler, who then broke free for a 45-yard score after an Alpena punt. Those plays helped Escanaba take a 21-6 lead with 7:35 remaining in the half.
Alpena nearly answered when senior Brody Misiak broke a 40-yard run to the Escanaba 21-yard line. The drive ended when Szymoniak was stopped on fourth down. Escanaba then reached a 46-yard field-goal attempt as the half ended, but Alpena blocked the kick and went to the locker room down 21-6.
Wildcats find a late answer
Escanaba extended its lead in the third quarter when Bichler scored again and the team converted a two-point try, making it 29-6 with 41 seconds left in the period. Alpena responded with its best sustained drive, reaching the Escanaba 9 as the quarter ended. On fourth-and-7 to open the fourth quarter, however, the Wildcats’ pass was intercepted, giving Escanaba possession at its own 16 with 11:54 remaining.
Szymoniak later scored on an 11-yard run, reaching the pylon to cut the deficit to 29-12. The two-point attempt failed, and Escanaba did not score in the fourth quarter.
Szymoniak finished with 162 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries. Misiak added 54 yards on five attempts, while senior Greyson Srebnik caught three passes for 29 yards. Bichler completed four of 11 passes for 79 yards, and Escanaba rushed for 307 yards as a team.
Alpena begins home stretch against Gaylord
The Escanaba game closed a three-game road swing for Alpena. The Wildcats opened that stretch with a 27-8 win at Boyne City before losing 34-21 at Cadillac.
Gaylord has won the recent series, including a 41-0 victory last year. After Friday’s game, Alpena will have a week on its own field. Szymoniak said the team must continue improving after the loss: “We will get better. We don't have any other option.”