TAWAS AREA - Oct. 10, 2008 - Tawas Area kept its playoff hopes alive Friday by racing to a 32-6 halftime lead over rival Oscoda and taking a 61-26 victory to snap a three-game losing streak.

Jeff Janis rushed for 163 yards and three touchdowns on seven carries and capped the first half with a 60-yard scoring run. Janis also opened the scoring with a 40-yard run on the Braves' first possession and had a 24-yard run on Tawas' first possession of the second half.

Bill Schmidt added 107 yards on four carries and scored on runs of 26 and 47 yards in the first half. Nate Koenig also had a 47-yard touchdown reception from Jesse Siwek on the Braves' only pass attempt of the night.

"I thought we executed pretty well offensively," said Tawas coach Tim Webb. "It was great to see some kids who don't normally play much have some success running the ball."

Tawas had touchdown runs from Jeremy Fuller (1 yard), Reuben Baker (45 yards) and Brandon Brodt (5 yards).

Oscoda got on the scoreboard late in the first half on a 24-yard pass from Thomas York to Brad Niemann.

The Owls added a 25-yard pas from York to Dylan Kachur with seven minutes left in the game, and a 20-yard scoring strike from Justin Cain to Jake Trier on the final play of the game.

Schmidt led the Tawas defense with four solo tackles and seven assists.

Tawas (4-3) travels to Alcona (4-3) in a battle of teams that need wins to keep their playoff hopes alive.

"Our playoff goals are still attainable," Webb said. "Alcona is also fighting to stay alive for the playoffs, so it should be a fun atmosphere."