Hancock Claims Copper Bowl – Saturday Sports Wrap

Click on the highlighted scores for more game details.

High School
In high school football last night…
– Hancock edged Houghton 20-18 in a hard-fought Copper Bowl game. The lead changed hands four times as the teams traded scores. The Bulldogs drew first blood when Bryce Turner scored on a one-yard run and Trevor Rowe extra point kick. Houghton responded with  10-yard Jordan Reynolds touchdown scamper, and took the lead with a two-point conversion. Hancock reclaimed the lead when Colton Salani hit Grant Hokenson for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Rowe’s kick made it 14-8 at halftime. The Gremlins pulled back ahead in the third quarter with a 10-yard Sam Collaer touchdown run and a two-point conversion. The Bulldogs took the lead for good when Alex Nordstrom found Carson Turner with a 28-yard TD pass late in the third quarter. Houghton added a safety in the fourth quarter to produce the final score. The Gremlins had a golden opportunity to retake the lead in the final quarter, but, with a first down, and the ball inside the Hancock one-yard line, the Bulldogs’ defense stopped them four times, eventually forcing a fumble after a desperate lateral on the fourth down play. It’s the first Copper Bowl win for Hancock since 2011, and it clinched a share of second place in the WestPAC. See video highlights from the game here.
– WestPAC champion Calumet tuned up for the playoffs with a 24-6 victory at Gladstone.
– L’Anse fell to West Iron County 42-16.
– Baraga lost to Superior Central 62-8.
– Ontonagon steamrolled Carney-Nadeau 60-0.
– Ewen-Trout Creek fell to Rapid River 64-14.

Today…
– Lake Linden-Hubbell will try to close out its second-straight undefeated regular season with a win at home against Munising. A victory would give the Lakes sole possession of first place in the Mid-Eastern Conference. Pregame coverage starts around 1:40 on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com.

WestPAC (complete)
1. Calumet (7-0, 8-1)
2. Hurley (5-2, 7-2)
2. West Iron County (5-2, 6-3)
2. Hancock (5-2, 5-4)
5. Northland Pines (2-5, 3-6)
5. Houghton (2-5, 3-6)
5. L’Anse (2-5, 2-7)
8. Ironwood (0-7, 0-8)

Mid-Eastern Conference (through 10-21)
1. Lake Linden-Hubbell (4-0, 8-0)
2. Newberry (4-1, 7-2)
3. North Dickinson (3-2, 6-3)
4. Bark River-Harris (2-3, 3-6)
5. Munising (1-3, 2-6)
6. Gogebic (0-5, 1-7)

Western Eight Conference (complete)
1. North Central (8-0, 9-0)
2. Forest Park (7-1, 8-1)
3. Stephenson (6-2, 7-2)
4. Rapid River (5-3, 6-3)
5. Ontonagon (4-4, 4-5)
6. Superior Central (3-5, 4-5)
7. Carney-Nadeau (1-7, 1-7)
7. Baraga (1-7, 1-8)
7. Ewen-Trout Creek (1-7, 1-8)

In cross country, the UP Finals will be run today at Gladstone. The Chassell girls and boys teams will both be going for their third straight Division Three titles.

MTU
The Michigan Tech hockey team lost 4-3 at the University of Michigan Friday night. Will Lockwood’s shorthanded goal with less than a minute remaining in regulation sealed the win for the 11th-ranked Wolverines. Alex Gllies, Alex Smith and Reid Sturos scored for the Huskies. Devin Kero made 23 saves while taking the loss in net. Those teams play again tonight in Ann Arbor.

The Tech volleyball team dropped the first two sets, then battled back to earn a 3-2 (23-25, 24-26, 25-13, 25-18, 15-10) victory over Lake Erie Friday night. The Huskies host Ohio Dominican this afternoon at 3:00.

The MTU soccer team dropped a 2-0 match to Ashland Friday night. The loss dealt a blow to the Huskies’ playoff hopes. Heading into the game, Tech was ranked sixth in the Midwest Region, and the Eagles were rated fifth. The Huskies entertain Tiffin tomorrow at noon.

The MTU football team tries to get back on the winning track at Northwood this afternoon. Coach Tom Kearly will miss the game because of a medical condition. Tech officials said he was ordered by his doctors not to make the trip, but have released no further information about what’s ailing him. Defensive coordinator Steve Olson will fill in.

The cross country team runs at the GLIAC championship at Big Rapids today.

NMU
The Northern Michigan University hockey team fell behind 4-2 in the first period, then scored four unanswered goals to earn a 6-4 victory at Ferris State Friday night. Those teams play again tonight in Big Rapids.

The Wildcats football team welcomes Ohio Dominican this afternoon.

Finlandia
The Finlandia University men’s soccer team spotted Grace Bible College a 1-0 lead Friday afternoon, then came back to claim a 2-1 victory. Chris Johnson and Steven Nelson scored for the Lions, and Ricardo Almanza stopped 11 shots in goal. Today’s game at Great Lakes Christian has been canceled. The women’s soccer game scheduled for today against Grace Bible College has also been canceled.

The Finlandia volleyball team plays at Lake Superior State this afternoon.

The Lions football team will host Maranatha Baptist University today. Kickoff is at 1:00 at McAfee Field.

The Finlandia men’s hockey team will tune up for its season with an intrasquad scrimmage tonight at 8:15 at the Houghton County Arena. The public is invited, at no charge.

NHL
Petr Mrazek stopped 30 shots, as the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Nashville Predators 5-3 Friday night. Five different Wings scored, as Detroit won their third straight game. The Wings host the San Jose Sharks tonight. Faceoff is at 7:00 on AM 1400 and FM 99.3, WCCY.

MLB
The Chicago Cubs entertain the Los Angeles Dodgers in game six of the National League Championship Series tonight. The Cubs lead the set three games to two. If they win tonight, they’ll face the Cleveland Indians in the World Series.

Lloyd McClendon is rejoining the Detroit Tigers’ staff as hitting coach. He’ll replace Wally Joyner, who opted not to return next season. McClendon was Detroit’s hitting coach for eight seasons under manager Jim Leyland. After managing the Seattle Mariners for two seasons, he managed the Toledo Mud Hens this summer. Mud Hens’ hitting coach Leon “Bull” Durham will join McClendon in Detroit as assistant hitting coach.

NFL
The Detroit Lions host Washington in a 1:00 game tomorrow. Detroit will play without tight end Eric Ebron, linebacker DeAndre Levy, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, running back Theo Riddick, and tackle Corey Robinson. Check the full injury report here. Hear the broadcast on AM 1400 and FM 99.3, WCCY.

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