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Sports
By Patrick Browne
CRYSTAL FALLS — The Forest Park football team gave the ‘Trojan nation’ a reason to celebrate Homecoming as they resoundingly defeated the visiting Ontonagon Gladiators 48–13 on Oct. 6.
The Gladiators entered the contest with a 3–2 record and hung with Forest Park through the first half. The Trojans’ Grayson Sundell opened the scoring with a seven-yard touchdown run. When the conversion failed, Ontonagon evened the score at six, and the first quarter came to an end.
In the second quarter, Trojan senior Felix Quevedo put on a show as he ran for one touchdown and passed for a second. The Gladiators countered with a touchdown of their own as the clock ticked towards the half and the Trojan lead was cut to 20–13.
With just over two minutes remaining in the first half, Felix Quevedo took the pitch and ran to the outside, only to be met by a cadre of defensemen. When the play was whistled dead, Quevedo was not able to return to the huddle.
Both teams took a knee and the homecoming crowd was quieted. An ambulance arrived and Quevedo, the Trojan’s most potent offensive weapon, was taken to nearby Aspirus hospital. The half expired minutes later.
During halftime, Quevedo was announced as Homecoming King (with Leah Feldhausen crowned as queen). Unable to accept the honor, his brother Gabe stood in his place and the crowd applauded.
As the second half opened, the Trojans appeared to be unsure of how to proceed without their star running back, but found their footing when junior Nik Stephens stepped into the void to pass for two touchdowns and run 62 yards for a third. The quarter ended with Forest Park firmly in the driver’s seat, 48–13.
Trojan Coach Brian Fabbri controlled the tempo of the game for the fourth quarter, and neither the Trojans nor the Gladiators scored for the remainder of the game.
With two games remaining prior to the playoffs, Trojan fans are excited for their team and hopeful for a speedy recovery for Quevedo, its star senior.