Lakes football stays perfect with win over Trojans
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LAKE LINDEN -- Saturday’s football matchup against the Crystal Falls Forest Park Trojans was certainly the Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes toughest battle of the year. In short, the Lakes met their match as seen with a number of lead changes and a final score of 42-38 in favor of the Lakes.
With the win, the Lakes improved to an impressive 7-0 on the season with just two weeks to go.
While he was happy with the win, Lakes coach Brett Gervais was also pleased with his seniors. Not only was Saturday’s game at Ron Werner Field a chance to honor his five seniors, but this game against the Trojans had some history, albeit not the good.
"Two years ago, we were defeated by them, 59-6, at their place," said Gervais. "They went on to be state champs that season. Our seniors now played in that game, and certainly did not forget the beating they took. They wanted revenge, and they got it today."
Gervais continued to heap praise on his leaders
"The game ball goes to my seniors, Tyler Axford, Brady Axford, Lukas Axford, Josh Davatilla and Brayden Beaudette," he said. "For them to put in the work that they did this season to get this win is a testament to their character on and off the football field."
The shootout on the gridiron had the Lakes up 6-0 after the first quarter. That came by way of a Brady Axford touchdown run for 53 yards. Brady went on to rush for more than 180 yards.
Forest Park opened the second with six of their own to tie the game at 6-6.
Minutes later, the Lakes regained the lead with a Tyler Axford kickoff run for 76 yards. Add two points and the Lakes led 14-6.
The Lakes did not let up on the gas as they scored again at the 7:43 mark. It was Brady Axford on the ground for a 27-yard touchdown run.
However the Trojans (5-2) were not done. They countered with 16 points to close out the first half and take a two point lead. Both touchdowns came from the speed and agility of Noah Starr. He was part of a hook-and-ladder play that resulted in a 12-yard touchdown and caught a 12-yard pass in the end zone. The Trojans were successful in both their two-point attempts and led 22-20 at the half.
Both teams scored eight in the third and the race was on to who would win the final 12 minutes of the game with the score now 30-28 in favor of the visiting team.
The Lakes struck first at the 10:41 mark.
Tobin Baril punched in six with a third-and-goal run to regain the lead and add two. The Lakes were now back on top at 36-30. That lasted less than five minutes.
The Trojans mounted an offensive charge that resulted in their own eight points at around the six-minute mark. It was then that Dax Huuki barreled through the Lakes line for a 14-yard touchdown. Add two and the Trojans now led 38-36 with time ticking.
The Lakes had their work cut out, and Gervais was focused.
"I am proud of the guys in the way they finished this football game," he said. "We had our backs against the wall, and we got out alive."
That comeback included two last-minute key plays by a senior named Brady Axford. Axford's goal line sneak at the two-minute mark put the Lakes back in the lead at 42-38.
The Lakes had to hold the Trojans one last time and the boys from Forest Park did not disappoint as they took the ball into the red zone and with a first-and-10 at the Lakes' 15-yard line.
They had four chances to score. They missed with a pass play on their first down. Then came the game changer, on second-and-10, Huuki attempted another pass play, but it was intercepted in the end zone by Brady Axford, essentially ending the game.
The Lakes sideline went crazy, while Gervais and his staff could breathe a sigh of relief.
"As this season rolls on, you are facing everybody’s best, and that was evident today with Crystal Falls," Gervais said. "Hats off to them, but I am so proud of how we finished the football game till the very last end."
Up next
Lake Linden-Hubbell is set to face off against Gogebic in Bessemer on the road Friday.