The Muskies were on the wrong end of a seesaw affair in Winnipeg on Friday as the River East Kodiaks came back to bite them 27-22.
The black-and-gold surrendered the first score of the game after a blocked field goal attempt by Adam McTavish was recovered by River East for a touchdown.
But the Muskies roared back on touchdowns by running back Jock Gemmell and linebacker Dan Poperechny, off a 37-yard interception, to lead 13-7 at halftime.
After River East scored a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter to grab a 21-13 lead, Gemmell scored on a one-yard run, which was followed by a single on the ensuing kickoff, to put the Muskies up 22-21.
But the Kodiaks capped off another successful rally with a six-yard run midway through the quarter.
A series of late interceptions by Muskie quarterback Andrew George, and a 54-yard touchdown run by Gemmell that was nullified on a penalty, gave the Kodiaks their first win of the season (1-3).
The loss dropped the Muskies to 2-2 in their inaugural season in the Winnipeg High School Football League.
Gemmell carried the offensive load for the Muskies as he ran, caught, and returned a total of 228 yards and two touchdowns. Dan Hettinga added 55 yards on the rush plus 88 more on three kickoff returns.
McTavish was hampered by ankle problems in the first half and missed several key drives. He caught only two receptions for 49 yards.
George went 5-14 for 97 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
After three-straight trips to Winnipeg, the black-and-gold will host the Churchill Bulldogs this Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the annual Homecoming game.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
