CAMDEN – Key injuries and turnovers would tilt to the favor of Indian Lake in the 2nd round of the OHSAA DV, Regional 20 game with the Lakers who took advantage for a 28-14 win over Preble Shawnee.
The Arrows struck first in this one on a magnificent 15 play drive that ran most of the time off the clock in the first quarter. It was eerily similar to the drives of WOAC league rival Ansonia.
Brody Morton did most of the damage with his feet and he would cap the 93-yard drive on a 2-yard run up the middle to take a 7-0 lead at the end of the 1st quarter.
However early in the drive Shawnee lost senior Isaac Blankenship to injury. It was a big blow as he is a big part of the offense out of wildcat where he can hurt you with his feet or in the air as a receiver.
Preble Shawnee held Indian Lake on three consecutive possessions but was pinned down deep in their own territory on a good punt. The Arrows were unable to gain a 1st down and forced to punt. The punt shanked and the Lakers took over at the 18-yard line.
Three plays later Indian Lake was on the board on a 5-yard run and second effort from Drake Cosby and the game was tied at 7 midways through the 2nd quarter.
Indian Lake’s Damian Lillard would strip a Preble Shawnee runner on their next possession who was stood upright and fighting for extra yards. Lillard took advantage taking the ball away and going to the 5-yard line before being tackled.
Drake Cosby then scored his second TD to go in front of Shawnee 14-7
Indian Lake would intercept Preble Shawnee at midfield and went back to work this time striking on a long 40-yard pass to jump in front 21-7 and it was a seismic momentum shift in just a matter of minutes.
When things start to go bad sometimes they just keep going that way and it would be another turnover with about a minute left in the half and the Lakers were going for the jugular.
Fortunately, Reece Smith was able to negate another score by intercepting a pass in the corner of the endzone as Shawnee trailed 21-7 at the break.
Preble Shawnee received to start the 2nd half but the team that moved the ball at will in the 1st quarter was having trouble generating offense and punted away.
Indian Lake advanced to the 5-yard line and the Arrows needed a big play and it was senior Lane Lovely delivering. He picked off a Laker pass at the 2-yard line and returned it all the way to their own 3-yard line for a 95-yard return.
Two plays later Brody Morton went up the middle again for the score and the Arrows were back in it trailing 21-14 at 5:43 of the 3rd quarter.
Preble Shawnee used the element of surprise with an onside kick they successfully recovered … but again the offense struggled to run or pass after sustaining another injury to receiver Reece Smith.
They turned the ball over on downs in Laker territory … but the defense did their job and got the ball back just past midfield.
Preble Shawnee had another opportunity but wasn’t able to convert the big play. Facing 4th down with Morton and the team going left and back snuck out on the backside to and Morton right, across his body, but the receiver slipped, and the ball fell to the ground just past his reach with Shawnee again turning it over on downs.
The Lakers scored one more touchdown with 30 seconds left in the game to make the final score 28-14.
It was type of game where you will look back knowing you had opportunities to win because the kids didn’t quit, rather they persevered with the injuries and miscues and still gave themselves a chance to tie or win when it easily could have slipped away.
Preble Shawnee will lose ten seniors: Lane Lovely, Isaac Blankenship, Kaden Taylor, Tyler McKee, Kolden Ratliff, Reece Smith, Nolan Earles, Gillian Mathes, Landen Lovely and Brody Lynch.
Lane Lovely, Spencer Lovely, Isaac Blankenship, Reece Smith and Brody Lynch all 1st teamers in the league and Lynch was the WOAC Defensive Player of the Year will be big holes to fill for next year.
The Arrows can be proud of another good season as they finish 10-2 overall, and 8-1 for 2nd place in the WOAC.
