ROSCOMMON – Finally, the streak is over. Roscommon built a 20-0 lead through three quarters and then survived a late rally to defeat the Grayling Vikings football team 20-14 for the first time in 13 years in a non-conference game Thursday, Aug. 25.
It’ the first time Roscommon has been 1-0 to start the football season since 2002, and the win left the Bucks and the entire community with a good feeling. Now the key is to use the game as a stepping stone to the Jack Pine Conference title and a playoff berth.
‘Grayling is a good football team and is going to get wins this season,’ Bucks’ head coach Steve Clements said. ‘It’ nice to see that we’re at that level this early in the season. It was a testament to how hard the kids worked to get ready for the game.
‘Our key to winning the game was our senior leadership. Nine out of our 11 starters are seniors on the offensive side of the ball and our two sophomores who started on defense played extremely well. Anytime you hold Grayling to 14 points the defense is doing something right.’
The Bucks only attempted seven passes all night. Jacob Sayad was 2-of-6 for 21 yards and a touchdown, while Gabe Stern was 1-of-1 for 73 yards. Kaleb Keipert caught two passes for 80 yards and a score.
Roscommon used a clock-eating ground game to maintain possession and limit the Vikings’ offensive touches. Trey Lewandowski and Stern were the major ball carriers for the Bucks. Lewandowski had 31 rushes for 157 yards (5.1 yard average) and a touchdown while Stern gained 146 on 29 totes (5-yard average) with one score. Lewandowski led the Bucks on defense with eight tackles, Thomas had seven stops and Hunter Eichorn six.
“It was a tough loss for us,” Grayling head coach Tim Sanchez said. “We give Roscommon all the credit. They outplayed us, and did a great job of keeping our offense off the field. We are going to learn a lot from this game and do our very best to bounce back.”
Cam Summers was 11-of-19 passing for 171 yards with a touchdown for the Vikings and also led them in rushing with 70 yards on nine carries. But Justin Nicholas was the only other Grayling player with positive rushing yardage.
Beau Dutton led the Vikings in receiving with four catches for 70 yards and one touchdown, averaging 17.5 yards per reception. Koedy Dole hauled in four passes for 57 yards and a 14.25-yard average. Nick Hunter had two catches for 37 yards.
Ron Woidan had a big night on defense with 21 total tackles, including nine solo stops which was also best on the team. Noah Kolka finished with 18 tackles (six solos), Jacob Macfalda had 17 tackles (three solos), Koedy Dole made 14 tackles (two solos), Zach Kelly had eight stops, Justin Nicholas had six tackles and Nich Hunter five. Dole and Hunter also each had an interception and Brandon Davison recovered a fumble.
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