UPDATED: Pinny blanks Houghton Lake in playoff opener

PINCONNING — Poor field conditions brought on by high winds and rain made the going rough, but Pinconning's offense moved the ball just enough to blank Houghton Lake 12-0 Friday, Oct. 30, in first-round Division 5 high school football playoff action.

The Spartans scored their first touchdown in the opening quarter on a 5-yard run by Sam Bourcier, then sealed the win in the fourth when quarterback Casey Pashak ran into the end zone from 6 yards out.

Pinconning (7-3) will now play 10-0 Clare at Central Michigan University Saturday, Nov. 7 at noon in the district championship game.

Clare defeated Freeland 25-20 in its first round game Friday night. Freeland finishes its season 6-4.

On the other side of the region bracket, Elk Rapids (5-4) and Menominee (7-2) play Saturday, as does Grayling (6-3) and Negaunee (6-3).

Houghton Lake, meanwhile, finishes the season at 6-4.