The Rudyard Bulldogs dropped their homecoming contest to the Gwinn Modeltowners 48-26 Friday, October 10.

Gwinn (2-5) raced out to a 34-0 lead late in the second quarter before Rudyard scored its first touchdown on a 14-yard scoring pass from Davin Salo to Arik Hesselink to cut the Modeltowners' lead to 34-6 at halftime.

Gwinn scored the only touchdown in the third quarter to increase their lead to 41-6.

The Bulldogs (4-3) answered with three touchdowns in the final 12 minutes as Jacob McMillan plunged over from the two-yard line and, after two successful onside kicks, Rudyard closed out its offense with touchdowns from Jared Clark and Hesselink to cut the gap to 41- 26, but Gwinn clinched the win, scoring late in the game.

Bulldogs statistics: Arik Hesselink, nine-of-20 passing for 138 yards; Todd Anderson, eight receptions for 121 yards; Jacob McMillan, 27 yards rushing; Aaron Diepenhorst and Ron Coffey, nine tackles.

Rudyard will close out the season with games against Cheboygan (6-1) Friday, October 17, and Munising (3-4) Friday, October 24.

Pellston/Mackinaw Fall To

Snowbirds 41-6

The Pellston/ Mackinaw City Hornets stayed close for 24 minutes before the Gaylord St. Mary Snowbirds took control of the game, posting a 41-6 Ski Valley Conference (SVC) win Friday, October 10.

"We continue to play hard and the players never quit," said Hornets Coach Dave Brines.

The Hornets (1-6) scored the game's first touchdown as Josh Schmalzried plunged over from the one-yard line for a 6-0 lead after the first quarter. Schmalzried completed a key pass to Aaron Minzey and fullback Sam McMurray gained positive yards on the scoring drive.

The Snowbirds (5-2) scored two second quarter touchdowns for a 14- 6-halftime advantage and closed out the scoring with 27 points in the second half.

The Hornets travel to Central Lake to take on the Trojans Friday, October 17, and complete the season with a home game against Inland Lakes Friday, October 24.

Hornets offensive statistics: Josh Schmalzreid, nine of 14 passing for 73 yards; Sam McMurray, six carries for 33 yards; Ben Huyck, three receptions for 28 yards; Jake Freed, 14 carries for 24 yards; Andy Hamlin, two carries for 27 yards, three receptions for 24 yards; Aaron Minzey, three receptions for 23 yards.

Hornets defensive statistics: Aaron Minzey, six tackles, one fumble recovery; Ben Huyck, Sam Schlosser, six tackles; Richard Cluff, five tackles; Brian Jurek, four tackles.