The Mid-Eastern Football League representatives in the all-star game include (from left) Dylan Rye and Ben Eckola of Pickford, Michael Klobucher of Engadine, Coach Josh Rader of Pickford, Phillip Hood of Engadine, and Zach McFarlane and Tyler Anderson of Cedarville/DeTour. The St. Ignace Saints’ Gerrit Mortensen completed a 42-yard scoring pass to the Gladstone Braves Kollin Jensen with 4:42 left in the game to lift the East squad to a 21-14 win over the West during the Third Annual Upper Peninsula All-Star Football game at the Superior Dome in Marquette Saturday, June 26.

The West took an early lead after recovering an East fumble on the opening kickoff and Josh Siler of Crystal Falls-Forest Park, most valuable offense for the West, scored from three yards and Andy Johnson of Hancock kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead at the 12:22 mark.

The East bounced back as Mortensen guided the offense 51 yards and Jensen, most valuable offense for the East, scored on a 19- yard run with 3:53 remaining in the first quarter. Anders Broullire of Manistique added the extra point for a 7-7 score.

Gerrit Mortensen of St. Ignace is tackled out of bounds in the second half during the East 21-14 all-star win over the West at the Superior Dome Saturday, June 26. Ben Gable, who recorded seven tackles, recovered the West fumble at 10:18 of the second quarter before Ivan Niemi of Westwood plunged over on a two yard quarterback sneak and Broulire tallied the extra point for a 14-7 halftime advantage.

A West drive early in the third quarter was halted by an interception on the two yard line, Steve Seronko of Gladstone attempting the touchdown pass.

East head coach Todd Kangas of Manistique rotated his three quarterbacks, Davin Salo of Rudyard, Mortensen, and Niemi.

Mortensen took the quarterbacking chores following the interception and led the squad to the West seven yard line, but the East fumbled, stalling the scoring opportunity with 1:30 left in the third quarter.

Straits Area Football League representatives in the all-star game include (from left) Ben Gable, Arik Hesselink, Davin Salo, and Ben Harter all of Rudyard, and Gerrit Mortensen of St. Ignace. The West took possession and marched 93 yards, scoring on a 25 yard touchdown pass from Nate Sturos of Calumet to Mike Schmaus of Ontonagon. Brady Grayvold of Norway kicked the game-tieing extra point with 10:27 remaining in the game.

The East drove more than 60 yards in the final 10 minutes to score on a touchdown pass and the defense took charge and held the West on downs to clinch the win.

The eleven players from The St. Ignace News coverage area helped to lift the East to a 2-1 edge in the three years of the all-star classic.

Mortensen completed seven of eight passes for 133 yards and rushed for 44 yards, in his final high school game, giving a preview of what Northern Michigan University coaches and fans will see during the next four or five years.

"We are looking forward to having Gerrit in our program,” said Wildcats head coach Bernie Anderson. “The coaches are not sure if we are going to red-shirt him during his freshmen season."

Defensively, Zach McFarlane had six tackles while Philip Hood and Tyler Anderson added four tackles.

Area Players Shine

During Skills Games

In the skills games during the week long preparation for the Upper Peninsula All-Star game, three area players finished first. Gerrit Mortensen of St. Ignace won the punting contest at 57 yards and quarterback challenge with a 57 yard pass, Ben Gable of Rudyard was named the fastest linemen in the 40 yard dash at 4.684, and Michael Klobucher of Engadine made the longest field goal at 49 yards.