Gremlins football tops Braves 42-17 | News, sports, jobs

Houghton’s Rueban Mensah (75) pounces on Gladstone’s quarterback Austin Pepin (22) as Ben Wilson (72) tries to stop him on Friday at Alumni Field in Houghton. (Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON – The Houghton Gremlins football team ended its 2024 home season with a big win Friday night. They defeated the Gladstone Braves (1-6) with a 42-17 victory and improved to 3-4 on the season with two games remaining.

According to Houghton coach Tim Driscoll, the key to the win was his Gremlins’ performance on both sides of the ball.

“We took a big step tonight by beating someone (Gladstone) we haven’t beaten in a long time.” he explained. “I’m very proud of the way these guys played tonight.”

The Braves set the tone in the first quarter by taking a 7-0 lead in the first four minutes. However, the Gremlins countered three minutes later with a 13-yard touchdown run by Nathan Erva for six.

Just a few minutes later, the Braves took the lead again with a 50-yard pass run to Evan Woelffer, and the extra point made the game 14-6.

Not for long, though, as Gremlins running back Brayden Goudge returned the kickoff for 90 yards and a touchdown. Thanks to the Gremlins’ good two-point conversion, the game was tied at 14 points after the first quarter.

The second quarter belonged to the Gremlins, who outscored the Braves 20-3.

This included two more touchdowns from Goudge. One was a 27-yard pass play and the other was an 82-yard touchdown run. Houghton’s third touchdown of the quarter came on an end zone pass to Jace DeForge with no time on the clock.

Although the Braves were able to score a field goal on all of the Gremlins’ scores, it wasn’t nearly enough to catch them. Gladstone trailed 34-17 at halftime.

“The match ball goes to Brayden (Goudge)” Driscoll said. “He had a great game with the kickoff return and another long run for a touchdown. He made plays for us.”

The second half of the game belonged to the Gremlins. They added eight points in the third when Jay Halonen rushed in for a touchdown run, and they outscored their opponent for the 42-17 win.

Driscoll summed up the win.

“We tackled well, ran the ball well and adjusted well to what they were doing.” he said. “That was nice. We stayed solid and never hit the panic button.”

Since Friday’s game was the Gremlins’ final home game, the team honored its senior players with a brief pregame ceremony.

“We will miss you” Driscoll said of the 15 members of the Class of 2025. “This is a great class. These guys are so dedicated and hardworking.”

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The Gremlins travel to Negaunee to take on the Miners on Friday.