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Viking gridders give up early lead, lose to Glads 42-20

GRAYLING — Early on it appeared the Grayling football team was poised to hand Traverse City St. Francis its second loss of the season, when the Vikings landed a couple of early body blows to take a 14-0 lead.

But, it was not to be.

 the ropes and then applying the knockout punch for a 42-20 victory last Friday night in Grayling.

After that quick burst to start the game, Grayling’s offense started to sputter, scoring only once more before the half. Meanwhile, the Gladiators scored two touchdowns to narrow the margin to six points, 20-14 at the intermission.

St. Francis scored its last touchdown of the first half on a busted play, with quarterback Charlie Peterson scrambling around end and reaching the end zone. Peterson had hooked up with Jimmy Muzljakovich earlier in the half.

The Gladiators kept on rolling, opening the second half with a seven-minute drive, with Luke Biggar finishing the 75-yard march with the first of his two second-half scores. It gave them a 21-20 lead they would not relinquish.

Ventline has big night

Grayling quarterback Hunter Ventline had a big day, completing 8 of 14 passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns. Five of those went to Anthony Fisher for 124 yards and two TDs. Hunter found Andrew Kanary for a 15-yard strike.

Sault Ste. Marie handed the Gladiators a 14-7 defeat in the season opener, and Tunney knew St. Francis would come into the game itching to get back on the winning track.

Defense gets worn down in second half

St. Francis had two long drives of 18 and 14 plays, respectively, that not only chewed time off the clock, but served to tire the sagging Grayling defense in the second half.

Millikin rushes for 93 yards

David Millikin rushed for 93 yards on 11 carries to lead the Vikings. Ventline added 36 yards on five attempts.

Fisher led the defense with 15 tackles, nine solo hits. Millikin had 16 stops, eight solos and eight assists. Reid Cvitkovich finished with seven solo tackles and four assists with a fumble recovery. Drew Kanary was in on 12 tackles, six of them solo hits and had one forced fumble. Jordan Wakeley had four solo tackles, two assists and one sack.

Grayling is home again this Friday for a Northern Michigan Football League Legends game against Benzie Central at 7 p.m.

 

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