Lake drops Dogs in opener

Enterprise Sports Editor

Turnovers and big plays did in the Bulldogs Friday night as they fell to Lake 27-7 in the season opener at David W. Hansbarger Stadium. Swanton lost one fumble and was intercepted four times.

Both teams had trouble getting their offenses going early on. But Lake took advantage of a Tim Van Newhouse fumble to get on the board.

On the first play following the opening quarter turnover Mike Matthews connected with Terry Tomanski from 59 yards out. The extra point was no good and the Flyers led 6-0 with 4:09 left in the opening period.

Quarterback Alec Maier was intercepted again on the ensuing Bulldog possession. But Zach Michalkiewicz recovered a Flyer fumble at the six yard line to keep Lake from scoring again.

The Bulldogs would be forced to punt and Nick Mickels broke a couple tackles and returned the ball to the Swanton 17 yard line. Four plays later Carl Brown would punch it in from the one and another missed extra point made it 12-0.

Another interception would end the Bulldogs next drive, but the defense was again able to keep Lake out of the end zone. The half would end with Lake up 12-0 with the Bulldogs committing four turnovers.

The Flyers got the ball to start the second half and but together a methodical drive. The nearly seven minute drive was capped when Matthews snuck the ball in from a yard out. The two-point conversion made it 20-0 with 5:12 left in the third period.

The next Swanton drive ended with an interception and Lake took advantage again. On the first play after the turnover, Mikels raced 59 yards to the end zone for a 27-0 advantage.

Mikels finished with 220 yards on the ground.

The Dogs put together their lone scoring drive late in the final quarter. Tom Leahey finished the drive scoring on the ground from two yards out. Nick Yunker made the extra point and the game ended 27-7.

Swanton will open league play on Friday when they host Patrick Henry.