Lions ready for playoff run; top GHV Cardinals 42-0

Top ranked Clear Lake wrapped up a perfect regular season and is ready to compete in its 17th straight play-off game tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 29) to start the journey toward a Class 2A State title.  The Lions will face Estherville-Lincoln Central, who they defeated 54-27 back on Sept. 19 in Class 2A, District 2 action.  Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. at Lions Field.

The Lions moved their record to 9-0 Friday with a commanding 42-0 victory over Garner-Hayfield/Ventura.  The undefeated season is the sixth for the Lions in the past seven years.  

The Lions quickly put any thoughts of an upset aside when Dustin King took the opening kickoff, eluded two tacklers, cut back and scampered 89-yards to the end zone.  M.J. Mixdorf’s PAT had Clear Lake on top 7-0 with just :15 seconds off the clock.

The Cardinals tried to get on track, and even picked up a first down on their first possession, but were forced to punt on their second series. 

With the ball in their hands again, the Lions moved 68-yards on eight plays for another score.  Tamarik Lee ran the ball in from four-yards out and Mixdorf’s kick was good to make the score 14-0 with 4:47 remaining in the first quarter.

The Lion defense did its job and forced the Cards to a three-and-out, giving the Lions the ball once again.   Special teams provided its second score of the night when good blocks and good running combined for a 71-yard punt return by Chandler Diercks.

Despite being down 21-0 after Mixdorf’s kick, the Cardinals weren’t throwing in the towel.  The Cards’ Harley Forry took the Lions’ kickoff and returned it to the Lion 27.  GHV picked up one first down and moved the ball to the eight-yard line before they were stopped.  A 25-yard field goal attempt missed the mark, leaving the Cardinals scoreless.

The onslaught continued in the second quarter, as Brock Adams completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Tucker Tusha.  Lee scored his second TD on a six-yard run and Adams struck again :36 seconds before half-time on a 28-yard pass to King.  

Adams was 9/9 passing for 136-yards and two touchdowns.  Ernie Miszewski and Pitzen each caught passes for 30-yards.  King caught one for 28, Tusha one for 21, Zach Tatum one for 14, and MaKean Bang one for nine-yards.  Thomas Miller came in to get one reception for four-yards.

The Lions’ ground game was balanced.  Parker Pitzen carried seven times for 54-yards. Lee finished with 44-yards on seven totes. Adams ran the ball three times for 32 and Ernie Miszewski had four carries for 31-yards. Dustin King rushed three times for 11-yards.  Ryan Leisure ran the ball twice for seven-yards and MaKean Bang rushed once for six-yards.  Jarod Anderson took one handoff and carried one-yard.

The Lions finished the first half with 250-yards of total offense, compared to just over 40 for GHV.   The Cards closed the gap in the second half, finishing with 116-yards rushing compared to 177 for the Lions.  

The Lion defense was strong, led by Mitchel Keeran, Tavian Coleman and Bang each with four and one-half - Read More Via e-Edition