The Clear Lake Lions bounced back from a slow start and defeated Forest City, 35-12, to all but guarantee they will be in the Class 2A playoffs in a few weeks.
“I’m happy about the win, but we didn’t come ready to play,” said Head Coach Jared DeVries, whose team improved to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in District 3. “Thankfully, we were able overcome a poor start and lack of focus.”
The opening minutes were far from what DeVries and his staff expect from their players.
The Lions were dominate on defense, but fumbled on two early possessions and gave the Indians the ball on a short field. They quickly capitalized for a TD. The PAT was blocked, leaving the score at 6-0.
Clear Lake’s Kinnick Clabaugh attempted a 37-yard field goal in the closing minutes of the first quarter, but the kick missed the mark and the Indians celebrated their first quarter victory.
The tide began to turn in the second quarter when the Lions finally put together a drive. Quarterback Cael Stephany and company traveled 55-yards in 11 plays, with freshman Sam Dodge taking the ball in from one-foot outside the end zone. Dodge, who handled the run game for the Lions in the absence of Titan Schmitt, out with a concussion, scored three TDs in the second period and Clear Lake was in command at the break, 21-6.
The Lion defense held the Indians to under 20-yards of rushing in the first half, while the Lions had 108.
DeVries said he expects Schmitt will return to the lineup this week when the Lions host Crestwood (4-2, 2-1) and he believes the one-two punch of Schmitt and Dodge will test the Cadets.
“They have contrasting styles. Titan slashes and Sam is more of a straight forward runner. They both have great speed and can leave defenders a step behind,” said the coach.
Dodge had two one-yard TD runs and one from eight-yards out in the Forest City win. He finished with 131-yards on 29 carries.
Zeke Nelson scored Clear Lake’s two second half scores. Nelson intercepted Forest City’s Ty Dillavou and returned the pick 54-yards to extend the Lions’ lead. Clabaugh’s kick made the score 28-6 with more than nine-minutes remaining in the third quarter. Nelson’s final score came on a 17-yard completion from Stephany with 1:19 left to play. The score was critical in helping the Lions win by more than 17, which gives them maximum points in the event of a district standings tiebreaker.
Stephany was 6/12 passing in the game for 74-yards. Ben Loge had Stephany’s longest reception on the night. His 30-yard gain set up the Lions’ second score of the night. Minutes later he was a standout on defense, as he intercepted an Indian pass.
Derek Erpelding also gave the Lion offense a spark with his play on defense. The senior recovered a bad snap which gave his team the ball at the Forest City seven-yard line and resulted in a second quarter touchdown by Dodge.
Seniors Kaleb Hambly, Nick Brcka and Hayden Rieck were also instrumental in keeping the Indians winless in the district. Hambly recorded a team-high 12.5 tackles, including five solo. Brcka notched eight and one-half tackles, seven of them solo and one for a loss. Rieck also had eight and one-half tackles, three solo and one for a loss. Another senior, Blake Schwenn, had two tackles for loss among his five total and three solo takedowns.
Clear Lake’s victory was their second straight district win and puts the Lions in a solid position to be in the post-season play-offs. Following their Friday night game with Crestwood, the Lions will host New Hampton (5-1, 2-1) in the final regular season game on Friday, Oct. 14. Clear Lake, Crestwood and New Hampton are all 2-1 in District 2 play. Osage currently sits atop the District 3 standings with a 3-0 record. The Green Devils are 4-2 overall.
The first round of playoffs begins Oct. 21.
