Lakes undefeated football season ends at regional final
Gaylord St. Mary’s posts 32-14 win
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LAKE LINDEN -- Somebody was going to suffer a season-ending loss on Saturday at Ron Warner Field in Lake Linden, and it would be the first for either team. The Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes and the Gaylord St. Mary Snowbirds were not only competing for a 8-player Division 2 regional title, but neither team had lost a game this season. It was the post-season battle of the "10-0’s," and the Lakes met their match.
While they posted a 14-6 lead at half, the Snowbirds shut them down in the second half and came away with a 32-14 win.
While he was obviously disappointed with the loss, Lakes coach Brett Gervais had nothing but good things to say about the season, and the time and effort his players put in on a fun ride.
"I just look at the effort these guys put in from day one and up until today," he said, "and I have no regrets and nor should they. St. Mary’s is a very good football team. We made some errors, and that is football.
"I am extremely proud of this group."
The first half belonged to the Lakes. After some back-and-forth possessions between the two teams, the Lakes scored late in the first with a 47-yard touchdown reception by Tyler Axford to make it 6-0.
That is how the score remained until the 5:30 mark of the second when Josh Daavettila capped a Lakes eight-play, 85-yard drive with a goal line scamper for six. Brady Axford was successful with the two-point conversion and the Lakes now led 14-0 with the first half winding down.
However, the Snowbirds were not done and posted six of their own with less than two minutes remaining in the first half. It came by way of a three-yard goal line run by Logan Greenier. It was a Lakes 14-6 lead at the midway point.
To say that the second half belonged to the Snowbirds was an understatement. They outscored the Lakes 26-0, 12 points in the third quarter and 14 in the fourth. They forced two fumbles and had two interceptions that changed the course of the game.
Scoring twice in the third was St. Mary’s Cal Royce. Both touchdowns were 25-plus yard runs. He was responsible for another touchdown run in the fourth to make it a 26-14 game.
St. Mary’s Cash Wcisel capped off the Snowbirds' scoring in the fourth with a final touchdown to seal the 32-14 regional win.
After the trophy was presented to the Snowbirds at midfield, Gervais said that while this loss hurts, his squad should be proud of the effort their put in all season.
"I think games like this give our underclassman a sense of what it takes to be a part of big events," he said. "That will give us what we need moving forward."