Rolls Over Braham 50-8 in Semifinal Game
MOUNTAIN IRON — Under a blanket of gray autumn clouds and a biting Northland chill, the top-seeded Mountain Iron-Buhl Rangers turned in a commanding performance Saturday afternoon, overwhelming the visiting Braham Bombers 50-8 in the Section 7A semifinal.
With the victory, MIB punches its ticket to the Section 7A championship game, set for Friday night under the lights in Cloquet.
From the opening whistle, the Rangers set a relentless tempo, led by quarterback Izaiah Alto. Executing with precision despite the overcast skies and crisp air, Alto kept the Braham defense off-balance all afternoon, orchestrating a balanced offensive clinic with both his arm and his legs.
Whether breaking containment to pull away for major gains on the ground or finding receivers downfield, Alto kept the chains moving and the scoreboard ticking. The Rangers’ offensive front established control early, carving out lanes and giving Alto time to pick apart the Bombers’ secondary.
While MIB’s offense generated the highlight-reel scoring plays, the Rangers’ defense put on a masterclass in containment.Swarming to the ball carrier on nearly every snap, the MIB defensive unit completely stifled Braham’s attack through the first three quarters, denying any rhythm and forcing quick punts and turnovers on downs.
The defensive front dictated the line of scrimmage, bottling up the Bombers’ rushing game and applying constant pressure in the backfield. Braham was kept scoreless deep into the second half as MIB steadily extended its lead.
By the second half, MIB had pushed the contest into running-time territory, sealing the outcome long before the final whistle. Braham finally broke through late in the fourth quarter against the clock to avoid the shutout, scoring their sole touchdown of the afternoon with running time already in effect.
With Saturday’s semifinal triumph in the books, Mountain Iron-Buhl turns its attention to the Section 7A championship clash. The Rangers will head to Cloquet this Friday night to battle for the section title and a berth in the state tournament.
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