Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By JASON JUNO
Bessemer — To say the Gogebic Miners are bit by the injury bug would be an understatement.
“More like ripped apart,” Gogebic coach Nick Heikkila said. “Less of a bite, more of a mauling.”
The Miners lost 38-18 at Munising Friday night. While the Mustangs are a good team, ranked third in the U.P., Gogebic has been dealing with many injuries.
“Well-coached team; the kids, they play tough, they’ve got two big guys and then about seven other athletes out there that round out their 8-man team,” Heikkila said. “They’re tough, they’re senior-junior heavy. They definitely showed out. If we weren't bit by the injury bug, I would say we’d be able to compete a heck of a lot more. But you have to do what you got to do, next man up, we had a lot of young guys playing out of position and still put up 18, so we’re pretty happy with our young guys stepping up.”
Gogebic lost Tanner LaMaide (TE/DB) in the Munising game to a fractured collarbone. He’s added to the long list of Miners’ injuries. Cayden Harju is out for the year after being hurt in week one and they were still waiting to hear the status of Gabe Harju (foot). Cory Aspinwall didn’t play due to illness. They’re hoping to have Owen Miljevich (ankle) back this week. Patrick Perron hurt his shoulder last week, but he should be back this week.
“It’s been tough, but the thing is that these kids see the adversity and they know they’ve got to step up and make plays and they know they’ve got to jump in positions and just play hard,” Heikkila said. “That’s what I’ve got, I’ve got kids that are willing to work hard.”
He wishes he didn’t have to lean on quarterback Bode Lynott as much as he has the last two weeks, but that’s the reality when just about every running back is hurt.
“The kid’s tough and he’s a leader; the kid embraces it and goes forward,” Heikkila said.
Lynott rushed for 10 and 3 yard touchdowns against Munising. He threw an 11-yard pass to Leland Hollenbeck for the other touchdown.
Lynott finished with 53 yards on 20 carries, Matt Switzer had 46 yards on 12 rushes and Jayden Verrett had eight rushes for 40 yards. Lynott was 11 for 24 through the air for 114 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions on tipped passes.
Ben Kaurala caught three passes for 51 yards, Hollenbeck had four catches for 33 yards, Verrett 3 for 25 and Switzer 1 for 5.
One bright spot on the injury front was linebacker Wyatt Aspinwall playing for the first time this season. He had four passes defended and intercepted another for a 20-yard return. He also finished with 12 tackles with nine solo tackles and two for a loss.
“Defensively it was definitely very nice to get Wyatt Aspinwall back,” Heikkila said. “He’s definitely one of our vocal leaders on defense and filling that role for Gabe while he’s out. They’re a 1-2 punch that’s for sure when they’re both in. Wyatt really led the defense.”
Aiden Partanen also had a good game defensively, Heikkila said, he defended five passes, intercepted another and finished with 11 tackles (six solo). Hollenbeck, Verrett, Kaurala, Switzer and Lynott also contributed on that end.
“Our pass defense did real well for us, I was happy with that this week. And then our line, our pass blocking was very, very good. Bode had time, their defenders were blanketing our receivers. The stats don’t quite show it, but he had time to throw, I’ve really got to give it to our line for sure this week in keeping our pass pro stout,” Heikkila said.
The Miners return home for the first time since a week one win over North Dickinson. It’s their first time playing at Massie Field in Bessemer as that contest was in Wakefield. The game begins at 6 p.m.
“Two long trips (Norway and Munising) makes for a long couple weeks, that’s for sure, getting home at 12:30 and then 1:30 the following week is pretty rough,” Heikkila said. “The kids embrace it, came back to practice and a lot of energy (Monday), so we’re hoping to roll that and keep it going.”
It’s a respite from a grueling set of opponents as well as winless Carney-Nadeau is a young team.
“It’s going to be nice for hopefully some recovery on these injuries for sure, giving guys some time. Friday, I believe I’m suiting my entire JV,” Heikkila said.
