Johnson, Swanson lead Grizzlies to first win

LITTLEFORK- Carson Johnson carried the ball 24 times for 119 yards and two touchdowns, then helped lead a hard-hitting defensive effort as North Woods earned its first win of the season Friday, rallying past Littlefork-Big Falls 14-8.
Peyton Swanson intercepted two passes in the fourth quarter, the first setting up the Grizzlies’ go-ahead score and the second ending the Vikings’ final chance to steal the game back.
Littlefork-Big Falls struck first with a methodical opening drive that consumed about five minutes and gave the Vikings an 8-0 lead. North Woods moved the ball during the first half but could not turn its drives into points.
“Littlefork comes out fast and furious, and if you can weather that initial storm and get your feet underneath you, that’s a good thing,” head coach Joel Anderson said. “We had our chances in the first half. We moved the ball, but we would get close and just not punch it in.”
The Grizzlies found their footing after halftime. North Woods opened the second half with a long drive of its own, controlling the ball for about five minutes before Johnson scored on a 7-yard run. The conversion attempt failed, leaving the Grizzlies down 8-6.
Anderson said the Grizzlies made a conscious decision to simplify their approach and trust their offense to finish the drive.
“We were able to run three or four guys and mix in a couple quick passes to keep everybody honest,” he said. “Then we just marched it methodically.”
North Woods stopped the Vikings, then drove back into scoring range before turning the ball over on downs. Swanson changed the momentum a couple plays later, intercepting a Littlefork-Big Falls pass and giving the Grizzlies another opportunity.
Johnson capped the ensuing drive with a 6-yard touchdown run with about two minutes remaining. James Yernatich ran in the two-point conversion to put North Woods ahead 14-8.
The Vikings went back to the air on their final two possessions, but Swanson was ready both times. His second interception allowed North Woods to take a knee and celebrate the win.
“Peyton was right where he needed to be twice,” Anderson said. “The first interception gave us the opportunity to score, and the second one sealed the win.”
Johnson’s work went beyond the offense. He recorded seven solo tackles and eight assists to lead a North Woods defense that had several players around the football all night. Cedar Holman had four solo tackles and nine assists, while Yernatich had three solos and eight assists and Caleb Rutchasky added two solos and eight assists.
“Defensively, our guys are doing a nice job rotating and filling, and making it tough on opposing teams,” Anderson said. “We bend but don’t break, and we use our athleticism to our advantage.”
The Grizzlies ran for 185 yards as a team. Holman carried seven times for 37 yards and completed three of seven passes for 22 yards, with one interception. Yernatich added 25 yards on eight carries.
“We have a lot of good stuff on film and another good piece to add to the board,” Anderson said. “We’re not starting from scratch. You can see the timing, confidence, and consistency getting there, and that’s what you need to be effective on offense.”