Andrew Funsch (3) and Josh Jameson defend against a Gaylord pass in the end zone during the Falcons' 32-18 homecoming win
Ogemaw's goal-line defense helped hold off the Blue Devils and key Friday's win.
Linda Eyer
Colleen Wren and Jackson Moore were named the Falcons' homecoming queen and king.

OGEMAW HEIGHTS - Oct. 12, 2007 - Already safely qualified for the MHSAA state playoffs, the Ogemaw Heights football team figured to have its hands full against a Gaylord squad that hadn't yet gotten the required number of wins. Not only would the Blue Devils be playing with a level of desperation the Falcons haven't had to play with this year, but Ogemaw was the team that put the final dagger in Gaylord's playoff hopes last year in a blizzard bowl, which Gaylord no doubt hadn't forgotten.

This year's Falcon team wasn't quite as desperate, nor the conditions nearly as miserable. Ogemaw celebrated its homecoming by leading from start to finish in a 32-18 victory that has the Falcons on the verge or wrapping up at least one home playoff game.

Still, it was hardly easy. The Falcons had opened their 32-18 lead by midway through the third quarter, but the victory wasn't secure until Ogemaw completed a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter that started with Gaylord with a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line.

"It was never real comfortable," said Ogemaw Heights coach Andrew Pratley. "We were able to move the ball well in the first half and put 26 points on the board, which is something that hasn't happened against Gaylord in a long time.

"As high-powered as their offense is and as many weapons as they have, that goal-line stand was huge."

The Falcons held firm on the first three downs, and after a penalty pushed Gaylord back to the 6. Quarterback Nick Freeman completed a pass in the flat to his tight end, but the Falcons' Anthony Betancourt hauled him down short of the goal line to end the threat.

The Falcons led 26-10 at the half, and Josh Jameson ripped off a long kickoff return to start the third quarter. With a penalty tacked onto the end of his run, the Falcons had a first down at the Blue Devils' 18 yard line and a chance to put the game away.

Instead, the Falcons lost the ball on a controversial fumble at the 3-yard line. Ogemaw contended the Gaylord player who recovered it was out of bounds, but to no avail.

Freeman hit Robert Phillips with a touchdown pass and the Blue Devils converted the 2-pointer to make it 26-18. But on the next play from scrimmage, Michael Noffsinger ripped off a 71-yard touchdown run to open up a 14-point lead.

Noffsinger finished with 200 yards on 20 carries, including a 27-yard touchdown run in the first quarter that gave Ogemaw a 12-3 lead. Kevin O'Neil added a season-high 126 yards on 13 carries, including a game-opening 30-yard scoring run and a 39-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. O'Neil also connected on 7-of-13 passes for 85 yards, including a nine-yard pass to Kelvin Page with 11 seconds before the half.

The Falcons (7-1) hope to nail down a home playoff game and a possible top seed in the playoffs with a win at Cheboygan (also 7-1) this Friday. Ogemaw played the Chiefs twice last year, holding on for wins of six points in the regular-season finale and five points in the second round of the playoffs. The two could potentially meet in the playoffs again.

"We knew from the start that every week would be a battle," Pratley said. "We told the kids if we could get through this gauntlet and make the playoffs, we'd be prepared to make a good run. Other than the one hiccup at Standish we've been able to do that.

"I think we saw this past week when the NEMC went outside and got some big wins (most significantly the Falcons' win, Standish-Sterling's 28-8 win at Reed City and Pinconning's victory over Mt. Morris) that the league isn't as bad as a lot of people like to say it is. Teams like Standish and Tawas have proved how good this league is this year.

"On top of that, with our non-league schedule I feel like we've played one of the toughest schedules in our division.

"Hopefully we can get another win against a good team this week. Then we'll just have to wait and see what happens in other games around the state (as far as determining playoff matchups). It'll be an interesting weekend."

The MHSAA playoff selection show will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21.