Lions roar past Midgets in opening round of playoffs

Top ranked Clear Lake (10-0) over-powered Estherville-Lincoln Central for a 42-7 victory in their Class 2A first round game played Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Lions Field.  

“A double digit win-- a good thing,” said a very pleased Head Coach Fred Wieck after the game.  

Unlike their first meeting this season, this time the Lions were in control from the start, amassing 403-yards of offense, with 365 of those on the ground.  The Lion defense was also solid, keeping the Midgets in their own territory for the majority of the night.

The Lions took advantage of a pair of turnovers in the first quarter and quickly put the score at 20-0.

Tamarik Lee recovered a fumble on the Midgets’ first possession.  Lee then handled most of the carries in a seven play drive which traveled 49-yards in just 2:43.  Lee punched the ball over the goalie for his first of three touchdowns.

A high snap pinned E-LC deep in their own territory on their next possession and they were forced to punt on a three-and-out.  In only three plays the Lions were in the end zone again.  This time Ernie Miszewski got the score by running the ball in from the nine.  The 56-yard drive took only three plays and under one-minute.

Chandler Diercks intercepted a pass on the Midgets’ first play from scrimmage after the kickoff and the Lions were set up for success again.  Lee capped a four-play, 27-yard drive by running the ball in from the three yard-line, making the score 20-0 with 3:36 left in the first quarter.

The Midgets coughed up the ball again early in the second quarter and Diercks was there to pick it up.  This time the E-LC defense held and both teams settled into back and forth play until late in the quarter.  A pass interference call on the Midgets gave the Lions life inside the Midget 45.  Quarterback Brock Adams led an eight-play drive that was culminated with a touchdown pass to Dustin King with under a minute to play in the half.  M.J. Mixdorf’s kick was good, his third in four attempts in the game, to send the Lions to the locker room with a 27-0 halftime lead.

Adams continued to roll in the second half.  The senior QB showed off his running game and moved the team down the field, carrying the ball himself for a TD.  Lee ran the ball in for a two-point conversion, making the score 35-0.

The Lions got the ball back again when Zach Tatum intercepted a pass at the 33, but the Midgets reversed their fortune by sacking Adams and forcing a fumble.  A 25-yard pass play put the ball in the end zone and the extra point kick was good for E-LC’s only score.

E-LC tried an onside kick, but the Lions were too quick and found themselves working with a short field on their next possession.  A varied attack set up another Lee touchdown.  Mixdorf’s kick provided the final, 42-7.

In addition to his 3/5 passing for 61-yards, Adams was the leading ground-gainer for the Lions with 105-yards on 11 carries.  Lee finished with 93 on 18 totes.  Dustin King ran the ball seven times for 80-yards and had two receptions for 56-yards.  Chandler Diercks - Read More Via e-Edition