How did Gaylord-area high school football teams perform on the road in week three?
As the weeks go by, we learn more and more about the three Gaylord-area high school football teams and their expectations in 2024.
And, through three weeks of games, the playoff contenders and the rest of the teams are sorting themselves out.
It was a tough overall week for the three Otsego County football teams as Gaylord, St. Mary and JoBurg went on the road and returned empty-handed. Here is a recap of the high school football in week three:
Gaylord shut out again in the U.P., hoping tide turns against Petoskey
The Blue Devils had hoped to be rolling into Week 4 before their annual matchup with Petoskey for the Jaycees Trophy. Certainly, they had expected to have put some points on the scoreboard to have something to build on offensively. However, they'll head into week four hoping the rivalry matchup will spark some new momentum and change the tide on that side of the ball.
The trip to the Upper Peninsula didn't do the trick in week3 .
Gaylord's offense was shut down yet again in its first Big North Conference game of the season, falling 30-0 to Marquette on Saturday, Sept. 14 for its third-straight shutout loss to open the season.
The Blue Devils found a bit more success on the ground but still are looking to break the century mark in a game; five different GHS ball carriers combined for 89 yards on the ground against Marquette, led by Andrew Szymoniak with 26 yards and Noah Vanderveer with 25 yards. Meanwhile, their defense allowed 362 total yards (165 rushing, 197 passing) and four touchdowns, including a 99-yard passing touchdown that broke the game open at the end of the first quarter.
GHS has little time to diagnose their problems with a trip to Petoskey on deck, hoping to break their scoreless streak against the undefeated Northmen.
JoBurg falls to Tawas, league play up next
Johannesburg-Lewiston knew making the playoffs would be an uphill battle with just eight games on the schedule and a tough league schedule on top of that. With their most recent loss, that hill just got a whole lot steeper.
The Cardinals traveled to Tawas on Friday, Sept. 13 and fell to the Braves 21-6, Tawas's first win since week one of 2023 and JoBurg'ss second loss in three tries this season.
Senior Nate Hummel led the Cardinals yet again, rushing for 40 yards and the lone JoBurg touchdown. Tawas ran for 156 yards and threw for 56.
JoBurg is at home on Friday, Sept. 20 against Frankfort for it's Military Appreciation Game.
GSM refuses forfeit win, falls to U.P. power Ishpeming
Gaylord St. Mary was supposed to play a Ski Valley Conference matchup with Forest Area last week, but issues within the FA program put them on pace for a forfeit win. However, rather than sit home and take a free win, they challenged themselves with a matchup against one of the best football programs from the Upper Peninsula, Ishpmeing.
They ended up taking a loss, but proving to themselves they can compete physically with just about anyone they may face.
An early shootout ended up firmly in the Hematites' favor as GSM fell 50-28 in Rudyard on Thursday, Sept. 12 to push the Snowbirds to 2-1 overall.
Senior Daniel Jacobson had another terrific game, rushing for 204 yards, passing for 50 more and scoring three touchdowns on offense while leading the defense with 17 total tackles.
GSM moves on to Ski Valley Conference play, headed to Bellaire on Saturday, Sept. 21 next.
Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: How did Gaylord-area football teams perform on the road in week three?
