Purple Hornets put the sting to Wykons, 54-6
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L’ANSE -- As the L’Anse Purple Hornets football program lined up for their team photo earlier this week, it was not, "Say cheese," at the snap of the camera, but rather, "Beat the Wykons!"
The power of positive thinking worked as they crushed the West Iron County Wykons, 54-6. The game went a little quicker than normal as the whole second half was on the running clock due to the Purple Hornets' impressive first two quarters in which they totaled 40 points, 14 in the first quarter and 26 in the second.
To say that boys in purple and white are off to a good start would be an understatement. Just as one of their head coaches, Michael Griffin, said after the game.
"All around, a great job," he said. "I couldn’t be prouder as they executed everything we practiced these past two weeks to a tee. I’m very impressed. They showed me the high level that they can play at."
In their first possession, the Purple Hornets took just three plays to post six, then two more points on the scoreboard. The six was a 16-yard pass from quarterback Kale Cichosz to Ryan Turpeinen in the end zone. Then 8-0 turned into 14-0 just minutes later with a fumble recovery by the Purple Hornets and a goalline scramble for a touchdown.
While the Wykons struggled to just make a first down, the Purple Hornets did not let up on the gas, forcing fumbles and posting a couple of sacks. The boys were running on all four cylinders.
After another six to open the second quarter, the Purple Hornets' Vinny Seratti found daylight on the ground for a 49-yard score to make it a 26-0 lead with around eight minutes to go before half.
Seratti led the offensive charge with around 150 yards on the ground. In the air, it was Reese Laitila who amassed more than 90 yards receiving and a touchdown.
"This was very much a team win," added Griffin. "I was able to get everybody in and nobody complained. Everything about this game was team. These guys are turning this program around at home on opening night."
A 40-0 lead at half morphed into a 48-0 in the third as Connor Kemppainen crossed the goal line running at the seven-minute mark.
The Wykons avoided the shutout with a late fourth-quarter touchdown.
Up next
The Purple Hornets head to Manistique on Thursday for a 7 p.m. game against the Emeralds.