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MANCELONA - Everyone reacts to a loss differently.

The good teams simply dust themselves off and come back the next game with a renewed determination not to have a repeat performance. Count the Mancelona Ironmen in that category.

After losing for the first time in the Ski Valley Conference on a late field goal to Central Lake two weeks ago, the Mancelona Ironmen could have come into last Friday night's game with Indian River Inland Lakes feeling a little hung over.

But they shook off that setback to hang on for a thrilling 28-23 victory over Inland Lakes and remain tied for first place with Central Lake.

The Trojans defeated Bellaire, 28-7, behind 124 yards rushing by Jared Danbert to keep pace with Mancelona in the conference. Both teams are 5-1. Central Lake improved to 6-1 overall for an automatic berth in the state playoffs.

Mancelona can join the Trojans in the post-season tournament with a victory this Friday at Forest Area, which held off Johannesbug-Lewiston for a 28-24 victory to go to 5-2 on the season and in the Ski Valley.

Adam Duerksen has been the Ironmen's workhorse this season, but took a back seat last Friday to runningmate James Johnson, who rushed for 155 yards on 26 carries (5.9 yards per carry) and two touchdowns.

Johnson's emergence as an offensive threat only makes the Ironmen that much more dangerous, and gives opposing defenses more to scheme against.

With touchdown runs of five and seven yards, as well as a pair of two-point conversions, Johnson accounted for 16 points all by himself - and the blocking of the Mancelona offensive line.

Duerksen made his presence felt as well, picking up 116 yards rushing on 26 attempts (4.4-yard average per carry), and scored on a two-yard run.

The Ironmen also got one touchdown through the air, with quarterback Greg Blanco connecting with receiver Mike Herczak for a 14-yard scoring strike.

Kodi Balhorn was the Ironmen's defensive leader with nine tackles and two quarterback sacks, while Josh Derrer had nine stops and Trenton Sweet made six tackles and had a fumble recovery.

Forest Area's run-oriented offense is triggered by the power running of fullback Ben Wyatt and the outside attack of swift tailback Justin Gordon, as well as the cut-back ability of A.J. Freeman.

Although the Warriors don't pass the ball much, junior quarterback John Ricketts can throw the deep ball, as he demonstrated with a touchdown pass to Tyler Denike against Johannesburg.

Despite a disturbing tendency to bend at times, the Warriors' defense has shown a remarkable ability to make the big stop when necessary.

Something will have to give Friday night.