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Peck scored twice in the first half and once late. That was enough to make it through the weather problems and a stiffening Brown City defense.

The first problem for the Pirates, who are expected to make a run at the NCTL title, starting this Thursday night at Akron-Fairgrove, was a long storm line that had produced tornadoes as nearby as Lapeer County.

Both teams did not get on the field for warm-ups until 7:30, a half hour past the scheduled kick-off time.

"We sat in the locker room for an hour," related Rob Pouch, Peck coach. "It was hot in their and not very ventilated. The kids kept their intensity, though, and didn't lose their focus. When they finally came out, they were ready to play."

The Pirates dominated, offensively, early on with three long possessions. They scored on the opening drive when tough senior back Michael Mann escaped on a 27 yard touchdown. After a fumble, the first of many, stopped the next drive, Peck added a one yard TD burst, with 19 seconds left in the half, by sophomore back Donell Hamilton, who added the two-point run for a 14-0 lead.

While Brown City never seriously threatened to score, the Devils' defense and Peck's 10 second half fumbles kept the game close.

Bob McClintic, Brown City coach, gave Peck credit for what they did in first half, but said his defense was a contributor.

"Peck did what we wanted to do - grind it out. They had some drives and never punted the ball in the first half. They controlled the tempo.

"Defensively, we didn't start off well. But, I give the kids credit. We got after them at halftime and they came out and did what they had to do. I'm proud of their effort in the second half."

The snap exchange from center to quarterback was a huge problem for Peck in the second half, in part from the BC defense jamming the middle, in part from the muddy turf, and in part from new quarterback Zac Overstreet pulling away from center a little too soon. The Pirates, though, only lost two of the miscues in the second half.

"We were plagued by those fumbles , some of it was weather and some of it was us. But, there's no excuses."

Mann, who broke off a 66 yard touchdown run in the final two minutes, finished with 207 yards on 20 carries and Hamilton added 77.

Both Pouch and McClintic said Mann was a difference out there.

"He's a strong kid," said the Pirate coach. "He bench presses 300 pounds. He's so tough that if we lose a guard, he's the first person to go fill that spot."

McClintic added. "Mann is a man. He did a great job. He's a good athlete."

While the Pirates are looking to go 2-0 on the season and 1-0 in the NCTL up at Akron-Fairgrove (0-1) this Thursday night, the Green Devils are looking to regroup quickly before Thursday night's GTC East opener at Deckerville (1-0), the defending division champions.