Maroons Collar Huskies in Playoff Opener

Menominee rolled over Benzie Central in round one of the MHSAA Playoffs on Saturday, 50-14.

Trevor Theuerkauf broke Justin Brilinski’s career touchdown pass record as he threw for two touchdowns on the day. He was 5-10 for 52 yards passing and ran 12 times for 92 yards.

“Turk is a great leader, a great football competitor,” Menominee coach Chad Brandt said. “He makes plays all the time, and he’s surrounded by some great teammates, which certainly have helped him get to this point.”

Among those teammates to contribute on Saturday, Landan Bardowski ran 16 times for 121 yards and four touchdowns and Tanner Theuerkauf ran for a touchdown. Keegan Wickstrom and Eli Beal each caught touchdown passes.

The Maroons forced four turnovers, including three fumble recoveries. They held Benzie Central to 191 total yards.

“We were fast to the ball,” Brandt said. “Defensively, when you run to the ball, good things happen.”

It’s hard to find a fault in Menominee’s performance, having put up 50 points on 319 yards of offense and forcing those four turnovers.

“I thought we played fast and aggressive,” Brandt said. “After a great week of preparation, even without the good weather – it rained every day – the kids came in focused and today they got to put that to work.”

Next up is Charlevoix at home Saturday, set for noon. Charlevoix is 9-1 on the season, including last week’s 31-7 win over Traverse City St. Francis, the only team to beat them this season.