After jumping out to a huge lead, the Fort Frances Muskies were forced to rally from behind in the final quarter to earn a 27-21 victory over the John Taylor Pipers of Winnipeg on Friday.
The leaves the Muskies with a 6-0 record with one final road game to play this coming Friday against the 2nd place Churchill Bulldogs, who have lost only once in 6 games.
The Muskies took a 20-0 lead at halftime.
Jalal Lucman opened the scoring when he recovered a Piper fumble in John Taylor’s end zone.
The convert attempt by Trent Friesen was unsuccessful, leaving the first quarter score 6-0 for Fort Frances.
The Muskies extended their lead in the 2nd quarter when quarterback Milo Stafford hit receiver Chase Whitecrow with a long pass that set up a 2-yard scoring run by Stafford.
Late in the quarter, Friesen connected with Stafford on a halfback option pass for a 24-yard touchdown.
Friesen added the convert.
The Pipers rallied in the second half, scoring a touchdown with four minutes remaining to take a 21-20 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Stafford brought the ball back to midfield, giving the Muskies good field position.
Stafford then connected with brother Liam Stafford for a long pass that put the Muskies on the John Taylor 2-yard line.
Milo Stafford scored on the next play, with Friesen adding the convert, to give the Muskies the eventual win.
