ALPENA — A homecoming night that began with Alpena in control ended with Flint Powers Catholic celebrating a 21-18 comeback victory Friday at Wildcat Stadium. The Wildcats led 12-0 at halftime, but the Chargers scored three second-half touchdowns and stopped Alpena’s final play at the 19-yard line as time expired.

Alpena still had a chance to win or tie in the closing seconds. Andrew Szymoniak carried the ball on the final snap, searching for room near the goal line, but a Flint Powers defender tripped him up. The clock ran out before the Wildcats could run another play.

Alpena controls the first half

The Wildcats entered homecoming having endured a three-game slide, but their defense immediately showed it was prepared for Flint Powers’ Wing-T offense. Alpena crowded the line of scrimmage, stopped the Chargers’ early running attempts and prevented the visitors from finding a rhythm before halftime.

Flint Powers produced little yardage during the first two quarters. The Chargers punted four times, went three-and-out three times and threw an interception as Alpena’s defense kept the visitors scoreless.

Alpena’s offense then supplied the points. On the Wildcats’ second possession, Szymoniak took a second-and-9 handoff from the 41-yard line, found an opening and ran for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt hit the upright, leaving Alpena ahead 6-0 with 1:38 remaining in the first quarter.

The Wildcats extended the lead during their opening series of the second quarter. Facing fourth-and-9, Cash Moughon connected with Greyson Srebnik to keep the drive alive. Szymoniak finished the possession with a 7-yard touchdown run. The kick missed, but Alpena held a 12-0 advantage with 1:46 left in the half.

That gave the homecoming crowd two Alpena touchdowns and a shutout to carry into the break.

Chargers turn the game after halftime

Following the coronation and band performances, momentum shifted. Alpena’s first possession of the second half consumed much of the third quarter and moved deep into Flint Powers territory. But on fourth-and-17, Moughon threw an interception, giving the Chargers the ball at their own 21-yard line.

Flint Powers converted the turnover into its first touchdown. Jayce Beauchamp scored on a first-and-goal rushing attempt, and the extra point cut Alpena’s lead to 12-7 with 1:11 left in the third quarter.

The Chargers took the lead early in the fourth. Alpena punted on the first play of the period, and Flint Powers again started at its own 21. Beauchamp then broke a 71-yard touchdown run. The extra point put the Chargers ahead 14-12 with 9:33 remaining.

An unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty put Alpena at its own 11 with 9:25 left. Later, with fewer than six minutes remaining and fourth-and-2, the Wildcats attempted a fake punt, but the play failed. Two snaps later, Beauchamp scored from 30 yards, giving Flint Powers a 21-12 lead with 5:40 to play.

Beauchamp finished with all three Chargers touchdowns.

Late rally falls just short

Alpena responded quickly. The drive began at the Wildcats’ 35, though a holding penalty moved them back 10 yards. On second-and-20, Szymoniak gained the needed yardage for a first down. Moughon followed with a 14-yard quarterback keeper to the 34.

On second-and-5, Moughon found Eion Eades, who was tackled at the 6-yard line. Szymoniak scored on second-and-goal to bring Alpena within three points. Moughon attempted the extra point, but it was blocked, leaving the score 21-18 with 2:46 remaining.

The Wildcats’ defense forced a punt, giving the offense one final opportunity. Alpena took over at its own 29 with less than two minutes to play and timeouts remaining. Moughon completed a second-and-10 pass to Srebnik for a first down, and a Flint Powers offsides penalty appeared to move the ball to the Chargers’ 32.

Instead, a 15-yard penalty against Alpena left the ball at midfield. The home sideline believed the penalty should have been five yards, according to the game account. On third-and-15, Szymoniak spiked the ball with 23 seconds remaining. On fourth-and-15, Moughon found Gavin Ross for a first down at the 19.

With 11 seconds left, Szymoniak took the snap on second-and-10. He was stopped before he could reach the end zone, ending Alpena’s last chance.

Szymoniak led the Wildcats with 160 rushing yards on 21 attempts and scored all three Alpena touchdowns. Moughon, Srebnik, Eades and Ross made the key completions and catches that sustained the final two drives.

Alpena dropped to 1-4 with the loss. The Wildcats will host Marquette on Friday in a Big North Conference game at Wildcat Stadium.