Huron County View

Blizzard doesn’t faze Bearcats

Ubly storms past Iron Mountain in state semifinal



Ubly running back Mark Heilig (27) was hoisted on his teammate’s shoulders following a 202-yard, threetouchdown performance in a 41-14 victory for the Bearcats in the Division 8 state semifinal, last week, at Northmen Stadium, in Petoskey. (Photo by Paul P. Adams)

Ubly running back Mark Heilig (27) was hoisted on his teammate’s shoulders following a 202-yard, threetouchdown performance in a 41-14 victory for the Bearcats in the Division 8 state semifinal, last week, at Northmen Stadium, in Petoskey. (Photo by Paul P. Adams)

PETOSKEY – Not even Mother Nature can stop the Ubly football team.

The Division 8 state semifinal, hosted by Petoskey’s Northmen Stadium, featured less than ideal weather, with near blizzard conditions.

The question on how the Bearcats would handle things in their contest with Iron Mountain, was answered on the first play of the game, when Mark Heilig busted through the line for a 65-yard touchdown.

When the snow settled, it was another convincing 41-14 victory for Ubly.

“Looking at the film, I felt we could have some success running to the left side of the line,” said head coach Eric Sweeney. “I was hoping for a six-yard gain, but Mark just went out and made a play. To be honest, I wasn’t sure where he was at, with the blizzard conditions.”

Heilig’s opening statement was just the beginning of a huge performance for the senior, as he ended with 202 yards rushing on 18 carries, scoring on runs of 7, 31 and 65 yards.

Ubly’s Aiden Mackowiak dives for a 7-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Mackowiak ended with 144 yards and three scores for the Bearcats. (Photo by Paul P. Adams)

Ubly’s Aiden Mackowiak dives for a 7-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Mackowiak ended with 144 yards and three scores for the Bearcats. (Photo by Paul P. Adams)

“We walked out of the locker room and it was crazy,” said Heilig. “We never played in those conditions before. You just kind of hope that things go your way.”

Sweeney refused to let the weather be a reason for his players not to perform.

“I think we have some pretty tough kids,” he said. “We practiced Thursday and Friday, and the conditions were pretty tough. Nothing like this course. I told the kids we weren’t going to make excuses. That’s how we’ve done it all year, we just go out and play. Both teams played in it.”

Added Sweeney: “From an emotional standpoint, I felt we came out well-prepared and ready to play. When you come and play hard from the beginning, good things happen.”

Midway through the first quarter, Ubly pushed its lead to 14-0, after Aiden Mackowiak got loose for a 19-yard score.

Iron Mountain became only the second team score on the Bearcats in the first quarter, when Brandon Farragh scored on a 1-yard dive.

Two more Heilig second-quarter TDs pushed the lead to 27-7 by halftime.

Last week, the Mountaineers came back from a similar deficit in their regional championship against Evart.

Any thoughts of a comeback were dashed, when Mackowiak scored on a 7-yard run midway through the third, to make it 34-7.

The team exchanged scores in the fourth, Farragh on another 1-yard dive and Mackowiak with a 2-yard TD.

The Bearcats finished with 421 yards rushing on 41 carries and didn’t attempt a pass.

Mackowiak had 144 yards (11 attempts).

“It was insane,” said Mackowiak. “We had to keep high knees to make sure we didn’t slip and fall. Our O-line did a great job. They didn’t know where the middle trap was at all. I just covered the ball with two hands and their linebackers had no answer to stop it.”

Ubly didn’t have a turnover or even a missed snap or handoff.

Quarterback Evan Peruski explained how the players were able to execute:

“Throughout my career when we play in games like this, when it’s going to be snowing or raining, we practice during the week with a five-gallon bucket and putting our hands in water. It helps a lot. We did that last year and the year before. Coach preaches two hands on the football.”

Iron Mountain became only the third team to reach double digits on Ubly.

Defensive coordinator Jim Becker felt his players handled the challenge of a potent offense and nasty conditions pretty well.

“As a player, you always want to play in the snow,” said Becker. “We made just a few minor adjustments. They did a lot for 14 points. There was some frustration at times. We need to step it up a little bit and be more physical with receivers. There was too much cushion at times.”

UP NEXT: Ubly (13-0) is set to face Ottawa Lake-Whiteford (13-0) for the Division 8 state championship at 10 a.m., Friday, at Ford Field, in Detroit.

The Bobcats defeated Clarkston Everest 44-6 in their state semifinal.

This will be the first meeting between the teams.