By Kalvin D. Perron
Staff Reporter
BRIMLEY — When Rapid River Head Coach Steve Ostrenga brought his 0-2 varsity squad to play the Brimley Bays on Friday night, Sept. 17, for a non-conference football game, he was quite sure he knew the Bays would try to dominate his team on the ground. He did not, however, expect to witness the events that transpired this particular evening.
“From what we knew about them, we were quite certain they would try to beat us on the ground,” he said. “We definitely did not see this coming, though. We just didn't expect it.”
What coach Ostrenga did not see coming was an all out aerial assault, complete with long bombs and precision passing, orchestrated by Bays' junior quarterback Travis Lynn. Lynn, who had never played the position until this year, threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns on 7-of-12 passing.
The Bays offense got things going early when running back Jake Parish broke open a large run into Rapid River territory. Two plays later, Lynn found the endzone on a 22-yard quarterback keeper up the right sideline. After a Josh Winkler PAT, the Bays took an early 7-0 lead.
Their second scoring drive came after a Derek Bowen fumble recovery. On 3rd and 8 on the Rapid River 35 yard line, Lynn fired a laser to Derek Bowen, who was streaking down the right sideline. Bowen caught the ball in stride and marched into the endzone unscathed. Winkler kicked the PAT and the Bays extended their lead to 14-0.
Rapid River finally got on the board with 4:14 remaining in the second quarter. After a Bays punt was returned deep into their territory, quarterback Jace Delgord found the endzone on the quarterback keeper. Opting for the two point conversion, Delgord lobbed a pass to a wide open Tim Feathers in the endzone and pulled his team to within six.
The Bays offense would strike right back. After a 30-yard pass play was called back because of an illegal shift, Lynn fired a 40 yard pass to Jeff Graham who took it deep into Rapid River territory. On the very next play, a Lynn pass found Cody Robbins in the middle of the field for 17 more yards, setting up a 1st and goal. Jake Parish then marched the ball into the endzone for the TD, breaking several tackles along the way. Another Winkler PAT extended the Bays lead to 21-8 going into half-time.
The Bays defense stopped Rapid River on three consecutive downs, and forced them to punt on the opening drive of the third quarter. Unfortunately for the Rapid River defense, Lynn would make them pay once again. On their very first possession of the second half, Lynn fired a 35-yard pass to Jeff Graham who took it in for the score. Another Winkler PAT would extend the Bays lead to 28-8.
Lynn fired another touchdown pass to Derek Bowen, this time for 45 yards, after the Bays defense forced a Rapid River fumble. After a botched PAT attempt was picked up by Cody Robbins and returned for two points, the Bays extended their lead to 36-8.
The Bays next touchdown would not be scored by their offense, however. After a Bays fumble on their own seven yard line, the Rapid River offense found themselves in a quality scoring situation. On 2nd and goal, Rapid River quarterback Jace Delgord fired a pass into the endzone which was picked off by Brad Cameron. The fleet-footed Cameron would return the pick 100 yards for a touchdown, extending the Bays lead to 35 points after a Winkler PAT.
The Rapid River offense did the see the endzone one more time with five seconds remaining in the contest, but failed to punch in the two point conversion.
Brimley Head Coach Brian Reattoir was impressed with the way his team performed, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
“Basically, we got a guy that can throw the ball and we have guys that can catch the ball,” he said. “If you have a passing attack it really opens the game up,” adding that the passing game is only as good as the offensive line that protects the quarterback.
While the players and fans who came out to watch the Friday night game may have been impressed with the lopsided victory, Reattoir wants his team to focus on their next game — U.P.'s 3rd ranked Pickford Panthers.
“We want another conference championship and they happen to be in our conference,” he said. “This next game is going to be the real test for our team.”
The Bays rushing attack was led by Jake Parish with 75 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown, Frank St. George with 41 yards on eight carries, and Travis Lynn with 34 yards and a touchdown.
The Bays defense was led by Jeff Graham,who had 12 tackles and an interception, and Derek Parish, who had 9 tackles and a fumble recovery. Cameron and Lynn both had interceptions.
