Falcons Stand Proud After Tough Loss

The Falcons met highly ranked cross town rival Clear Creek on Friday night in a mud bowl at District Stadium.  After a first half of football, Lake was tied at 14-14.  But, the second half turned into mud wrestling; Lake fell behind on big special teams play by Creek and could not recover, dropping a tough one 24-14. 

The Falcons faced a formidable foe under the toughest of conditions, but they played hard for four quarters showing once again their determination and spirit!

Lake’s defense faced the formidable task of trying to keep one of the area’s top offenses and two of the area’s top rushers in check.  The defense stepped up to the task, holding Creek significantly below their average offensive performance, forcing five fumbles, and recovering four.  The defensive efforts kept Lake in the game through the second half.  The defensive effort was led by linebackers Wes Miller and Chris Davison who stuffed Creek in their favorite running spot, up the middle, all night. 

The front four of John Kirby, John Dunaway, Michael Plumlee, and Dash Dahlke were supported by strong play from Jason Jameson making his varsity debut.  In tough situations, Lake further beefed up the front line with the addition of David Perkins and Sammy Shope from the offensive unit.  The secondary of Mark Nowinski, Russell Schober, Will McMullen, Michael Nemer, and Patrick Kinslow provided the last line of defense against Creeks running attack.

The Falcons offense faced the more formidable task of going against the 4th ranked defense in the area.  Against a strong run defense, Lake’s game plan was to put the ball in the air.  With this type of game plan, the weather and field conditions were clearly on Creek’s side.  Fritz started off hot, hitting Oswald, Hunter and Everett early.  But, as the mud bowl worsened, both sides were slowed offensively.  Fritz ended the night with 13 completions out of 36 attempts and 155 yards.  Fritz hit Sprott for the first TD and carried the second one in himself.  Scott Oswald stepped up to lead the receivers when Bubby Hunter went out with a bruised shoulder, pulling in six receptions for 87 yards.  Tommy Duff was once again perfect on PATs.
 

Lake took the opening kick off at their own 35 and wasted no time moving down the field.  Fritz hit Oswald and Everett for 10 yards each, before finding Bubby Hunter down  the field for 30 yards to put Lake in scoring position at the Creek 15. On the next play, Fritz hit Sprott on the screen.  Sprott scampered 15 yards into the end zone to give Lake the early lead. After the PAT by Tommy Duff, Lake was up 7-0! Fritz started off hot in the mud, going 4-5 for 67 yards on the first drive. 

The Defense followed the Offense’s lead and provided stiff resistance to Creek’s running attack on the very first series. Big stops were registered by John Kirby, John Dunaway, Michael Nemer, and Russell Schober.   On a third and ten, Lake held, forcing Creek into a punting situation in Lake territory.  Lake was ready for the fake, and it came, but the up back took the short snap and slipped past the end taking the ball to the Lake 20 to set up Creek’s tying score

 

Lake took the ball deep in their own territory, at their own 16 on the ensuing kick off.  Fritz took the Falcons on a 13 play drive that would end with Fritz taking the ball in for the score from the 5.  Along the way Oswald pulled in the ball for 30 yards,  Sprott carried load on the ground.  Lake was aided by a pass interference. Unable to stop Lake’s passing attack, Creek reverted to holding and got caught. After the Lake TD, the score was tied at 14-14.  

Lake Sees Upset Potential at the Half

Creek took the kick off at the half and returned it to the Lake 25 before being pulled down from behind by Elrick Jones.  From deep in Lake territory, Creek scored to go up 21-14. 

Lake got stuck in the mud and was forced to punt, but Creek again returned the punt to the Lake 25. But, this time the defense stiffened.  Jason Jameson and Wes Miller came up with big plays and held Creek in place.  Creek took a FG to go up 24 -14 early in the 3rd quarter.

 

As the second half wore on, the field worsened and both teams became stuck in the mud.

After falling behind, Lake was unable to get out of the mud deep in their own territory.  The passing attack was slowed considerably.  Creek didn’t fare any better, as Lake kept up the defensive pressure.  The difference in the game for Creek was two big plays by their special team after the half.

It turned into dirty work, but Lake’s defense showed that they were up to the task. 

 

A tough loss does not make a season. The Falcons are 4-4 and still in the hunt for a play-off birth.  Brazoswood knocked off Ball.  Lake has to take care of business next week against Brook, and then get ready to battle Ball for the  playoffs. 

Good Luck next week against Brook!