The Wilson Lakeman defeated the Akron Tigers 14-12 in Class C North Football action on Friday Night.
The Lakeman defense had a little trouble handling the Akron no-huddle offense and gave up a long drive, but Wilson made a goal line stand in the early parts of the game. The Wilson offense got the next drive off to a quick start with a long Wade Rick run bringing the Lakeman to midfield. Wilson followed that up with a trick play for the opening score. Tanner Feeley took a toss sweep to the right in which he turned into a halfback pass as he found Marcel Wilson wide open. The score gave Wilson the 6-0 lead going into the 2nd quarter.
Later, Wilson led a long drive deep into Akron territory but the Tigers defense came up with another goal line stand. A few plays into the ensuing drive, QB Tim Longwell was being pressured and tried to throw the ball away only to be intercepted by Matthew Daul giving the Lakeman field position inside the red zone. On the last play of the half, QB Justin Daul found Tanner Feeley for a touchdown to give Wilson a 14-0 lead at the half.
Justin Daul was playing in his first high school action since he tore his ACL in week 4 of football season last year. “It felt great, all that work I put in to get this point, it was worth it” said Daul after the game. Head Coach Bill Atlas had high praise for his quarterback, “He’s the field general out there it, almost like having another coach on the field” said Atlas. Daul finished 9-17 for 60 yards in the air and was surely not afraid to run it diving a few times for extra yardage to get to the first down marker.
But the Tigers were certainly still in the game in the 2nd half. The Akron no-huddle offense again had a nice long drive only to end in a Lakeman goal line stand. However, the next play RB Wade Rick fumbled and Jake Sarrow picked up the ball and ran it in for a touchdown.
In the middle of the 4th quarter, Sarrow broke free for a huge gain down to the Wilson 2 yard line. Not long after the drive ended on a two yard touchdown run by Sarrow to bring the Tigers within two.
Sarrow ended the night with 25 carries for 163 yards and the touchdown. The Junior had an eye popping game at linebacker also. “He ran a good hard game…and we caught up (in the 2nd half)” says Akron Head Coach Andrew Clouse.
The longest 2-point conversion in history then took place. The first attempt failed on an incomplete pass but Wilson was called for a personal foul. The Tigers had a second chance. While two of the officials were talking to Wilson Head Coach Bill Atlas, the 3rd official allowed the Tigers to run the play and Sarrow ran it in, only for the play not to count and the Tigers may have been penalized. The Tigers on the 3rd attempt could not convert, making the score 14-12 Wilson with 3:12 to go.
The Tigers got the ball back around midfield on a potentially disastrous punt for Wilson as the snap sailed over the punter’s head. Akron put together a few nice plays but an interception by Trevor Zahno sealed it for Wilson.
The Wilson running game was very strong, and Altas was certainly proud of his offense for that, “We have not been able to run the football like in many, many years…our linemen are getting better…it’s a testament to Wade Rick growing up” said Atlas.
Rick ended with 20 carries for 141 yards. Wilson’s Feeley had 4 catches for 26 yards and a touchdown in the winning effort.
Next week, Wilson (1-0) travels to Cleveland Hill (0-1) in a game that will have a big impact on Class C North standings. Akron (0-1) will travel to JFK (1-0) next Saturday afternoon.
For more information on the two teams head to their team pages:
コメント