The Gwinn Modeltowner Varsity Football season ended in Iron Mountain. In varsity football action, the 2020 season, was unlike any other season. Some schools played one game, and some schools played a full schedule. The athletes and coaches were faced with a different set of adversities this year. Every school had similar adversities which made it a fair playing field. And, in doing so, the 2020 Modeltowners have done what only few other GHS teams have done, and that is win a game in the playoffs.
Modeltowners everywhere can count on one hand the amount of times GHS has made it in the varsity football playoffs. First year head coach, Ben Olson, took the boys the 2nd farthest in GHS playoff history. Say what you will about the schedule and forfeit wins – Gwinn made the playoffs.
In the first round of action against East Jordan, Gwinn won 24 to 20. It was a battle from the start. The first score of the game was a one yard run from senior, #33 Reid Hill. Hill also scored the two point conversion. East Jordan came back and put six points on the scoreboard. With a failed two point conversion, Gwinn led at the end of one, 8-6.
Gwinn came out in the Second Quarter on fire with a 74 yard kick off return from Carl Peterson. Some huge blocks, and Carl was off to the races. Harnick with the two point conversion, and Gwinn is leading 16 to 6. East Jordan came right back with a 20yard TD pass (failed two point conversion) making it a 16 to 12 game at the half.
With no score in the third quarter, Gwinn had the lead going into the 4th. Gwinn extended that lead by 12 from a 6yd pass from Harnick to Love, and a Reid Hill two point conversion. East Jordan made a comeback attempt putting up a 13yd TD pass making it a 24 to 20 game. Gwinn’s defense, lead by Peterson, Ghiringhelli, and Noble, shut down East Jordan’s last minute attempt. And, GHS won its 3rd ever first round playoff game.
Move forward one week, and GHS is in round two of the playoffs against the Iron Mountain Mountaineers. The last time GHS and Iron Mountain faced off in the playoffs was over 2o years ago, and Gwinn put it on them. Friday night, this fan, was hoping for the same outcome. Unfortunately, Gwinn’s season ended in Iron Mountain to a 56 to 8 loss. Gwinn couldn’t keep up with the speed and strength of the Iron Mountain team. Gwinn didn’t give up. The 8 points were scored midway through the 4th quarter. The fight was there all game long, Iron Mountain, simply put, was the better team. Hats off to the boys who fought through the adversity this season and played their hearts out.
Modeltowners are on offensive and down by 29Season Stats and Team leaders (5 out of 6 games)
Total yards: 691
Passing Yards: 236
Pass Completions/Attempts: 22/58
Rushing Yards: 455
Run Plays: 168
First Downs: 35
Passing TD’s: 1
Rushing TD’s: 6
Offensive Leaders:
Passing: #3 C. Peterson with 92 yards
Rushing: #33 R. Hill with 146 yards
Receiving: #33 R. Hill 5 receptions for 43 yards
Defensive Leaders:
Tackles: #62 C. Ghiringhelli with 38
Solo Tackles: #44 K. Noble with 16
Sacks: #53 J. Andrews and #1 T. Jancsi with 2
Interceptions: #11 S. Evans and #62 C. Ghiringhelli with 2