Until 2020, the Redmen’s 6-2 record would’ve all but guaranteed a playoff berth when, for about two decades, all six-win teams made the MHSAA playoffs.

But the state high school association decided to go back to playoff points to decide the 32 teams that make each division’s playoffs this year.

That could hurt MSHS as a Division 3 team since much of their schedule is against smaller schools.

That’s why TC West was a feather in Redmen’s caps. TCW is in Division 1, worth more points than a smaller school, plus its six wins are also contributing significant bonus points to Marquette.

From left, Iron Mountain's Joe Colavecchi looks to pass behind protection from lineman Bradon Farragh against Ishpeming on Friday at Mountaineer Stadium in Iron Mountain. At right is Ishpeming defensive tackle Brayden Martin. (Iron Mountain Daily News photo by Theresa Proudfit)

On Friday, the Redmen only held a narrow 325-319 advantage in total yards, but senior QB Austin Ridl make his passing yards count as he threw for four touchdowns. He finished 18 of 29 for 234 yards also with an interception.

Senior Owen Beauchamp caught four passes for 103 yards and two TDs, while senior teammate David Eberhard had five catches for 51 yards and a TD. And yet another senior, Justin Jurmu, added three receptions for 51 yards and a TD, while senior Desmond Mullen had three catches for 40 yards.

Beauchamp was MSHS’ leading ground gainer despite just one carry that was for 35 yards. Mullen added 10 rushes for 28 yards.

TC West had a balanced attack, gaining 163 yards passing and 156 rushing. QB Brandon Konchek completed 14 of 28 passes for 163 yards, with Michael Schermerhorn catching six passes for 79 yards and Carson Douglass four for 60 yards.

Schermerhorn also led TC West rushers with 103 yards on 22 carries that included a TD, while Alden Lewandowski had 44 yards in eight attempts and a TD.

Marquette will further try to solidify its playoff chances with a game at fellow Division 3 opponent Petoskey on Friday night.

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Negaunee 26, Houghton 6

On Friday at Negaunee, Nico Lukkarinen scored both of the Miners’ second-half TDs that helped put the game away.

Teammate Easton Palomaki opened the scoring with a 16-yard run in the first quarter, and with Phil Nelson’s extra-point kick, Negaunee led 7-0.

Houghton answered in the second quarter on a 5-yard scoring run by Kyle Primeau, but with a failed 2-point conversion, the Miners still held a 7-6 lead.

Nelson extended that lead later in the first half when he caught a 12-yard TD pass from QB Gerald Johnson to make it 13-6 at the break before Lukkarinen tacked on two more TDs, one each in the third and fourth quarters.

The Miners held a decisive 351-224 advantage in total yards using a 287-129 edge on ground. That helped make up for two NHS turnovers to just one for the Gremlins.

Lukkarinen led Negaunee’s rushing game with 106 yards on 14 carries as Palomaki added 81 on 14 tries.

Johnson completed 5 of 8 passes for 64 yards and an interception as Nelson caught all five passes.

The Miners complete their regular season with a showdown at Westwood that will decide the West PAC Copper Division title. With those two teams and Calumet tied atop the division at 4-1, the Copper Kings could also claim a share of the title with a home win over L’Anse on Friday.

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Iron Mountain 49, Ishpeming 14

On Friday at Iron Mountain, the Hematites scored twice in the fourth quarter to avert a shutout.

“Going two weeks without a game, and then playing a high-quality team on the road may have affected us early in the first quarter,” Ishpeming coach Cody Kugler said.

And the Mountaineers took advantage, scoring four first-quarter touchdowns on their way to a 42-0 halftime lead.

Ishpeming (3-4) lost four fumbles and had an interception, while IM didn’t turn the ball over at all as the teams were nearly even in total yardage.

The Hematites amassed 226 yards, 218 of it on the ground as quarterback Luke Kostreva ran for 118 yards in 20 carries. Teammate Dawson Lawry added 56 yards on 13 attempts, while Dawson Delongchamp had 52 yards in seven tries.

Delongchamp scored early in the final quar

ter on a 10-yard run with Kostreva running in the 2-point conversion, while with three or four minutes left, Lawry scored on a 4-yard scamper.

The Mountaineers’ Luke Wolfe ran for 116 yards, including a 78-yarder for his team’s first score, and finished with three TDs as IM gained 212 yards total.

Iron Mountain quarterback Joe Colavecchi was 6 of 7 passing for 98 yards and two TDs.

“The completions were to five different receivers, which was nice to see,” Mountaineers coach Robin Marttila said. “We got the momentum early and it snowballed from there.”

Colavecchi made an interception of a Kostreva pass while playing defense as Max Jayne, Bradon Farragh and Preston Roberts were credited with fumble recoveries. Hunter Fortner had nine tackles and a sack.

Iron Mountain (5-3) concludes its regular season on Friday, hosting Manistique.

Ishpeming hosts Bark River-Harris on Thursday in a game that will decide the West PAC Iron Division title. Both teams are currently 3-0 in the division.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee with contributions from the Iron Mountain Daily News. Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.