Clear Lake sinks Ballard Bombers, 35-7

The Clear Lake Lions roared back from a slow start to sink the Ballard Bombers 35-7 in the opening round of the Class 3A State play-offs Wednesday night, Oct. 30. 

Ballard was able to move the ball early on the Lions and Clear Lake’s offense sputtered.  

Through the first quarter, Clear Lake had the ball for only four downs and gained just eight-yards on offense.  Quarterback Brock Adams threw an interception on the Lions’ first play from scrimmage.

“It was unacceptable play from the offense and defense,” said Head Coach Fred Wieck after the game,  “We’ve got to get better to keep advancing.”

Ballard started the game with the ball and moved, with seeming ease, from their own 20 to the Lion 37.  The Lion defense shut the drive down and Ernie Mizsewski sparked the team with a dazzling punt return form his own 29 to the Ballard 40.  That play was followed by the Adams interception, giving the Bombers the ball at mid-field.  They took the ball to the Lion 26 before MaKean Bang sacked the quarterback and sent them back to the 35.  Again the Lions held their ground, ending the first quarter 0-0.

The Lions didn’t get their hands back on the ball until almost four-minutes into the second quarter.  This time the team began to settle into their usual juggernaut, rattling off three quick touchdowns.

A drive, which started at their own 20, ended with a score when Adams took the ball in himself from 13-yards out midway through the second quarter.  Logan Kracht put the kick through the uprights for a 7-0 Lions lead.  

Momentum took a serious swing Clear Lake’s way when just a few plays later Pete Swenson intercepted a Ballard pass for a pick six on Ballard’s next possession.  The kick was again good, making the score 14-0.

The Lions tacked on another score just before the halftime break, using five plays to move 50-yards in :55 seconds.  Carter Hand took the ball up the middle, untouched, for 20-yards and the score.  All of a sudden, what seemed to be a 3A battle, was turning into a walk.  The Lions had increased their offensive output to 138-yards by the half.

Clear Lake didn’t let up in the second half, as they moved 80-yards on five plays.  Swenson reached the endzone for the second time.    Mizsewski also scored a third quarter TD, reeling in a 23-yard touchdown pass from Adams, 35-0.

Ballard avoided the shutout with the help of a Lion turnover.  Back-up quarterback Parker Pitzen fumbled a bad exchange and the Bombers recovered on the Bombers’ 34.  They drove the ball down the field, scoring with 2:39 left in the game.

The productive third quarter helped the Lions to finish with 298-yards of offense.  Ballard was held to 167.

Adams finished the night 1/3 passing for 23-yards.  The senior signal caller also had 59-yards rushing on seven carries.  Chandler Diercks led the Lions with 116-yards on six carries.  Hand finished with 61-yards on nine carries and Swenson picked up - Read More VIa e-Edition