Rockets fly high over Lancers in dominating victory.
By: Andrew Carr
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SUGAR GROVE, Ohio (WOUB) — The Lakewood offense showed up too late to make a difference in the final score as they fell 35-13 to Berne Union.
The first drive for the home team, Berne Union Rockets, was quick and efficient as they marched down the field and after a beautiful throw by QB Carson Kiger that found WR Ashton O’Rourke in the corner of the end zone for 6 points, making it 7 on the PAT.
The Lancers did not do anything with the ball as they went three-and-out and were forced to punt. Then came back-to-back punts as each offense would get a first down, but nothing more. Shortly after the Lancers’ punt, Kiger was intercepted by DB Coltson Castle in the final seconds of the first quarter.
Lakewood punted again early into the second quarter, and the Rockets’ offense would capitalize as Kiger would find WR James Hocking in the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown, putting the score at 14-0.
After getting the ball to midfield, Lakewood’s best drive to this point would come to an abrupt end as it fumbled the ball, and it would be recovered by the Berne Union Rockets. Marching down the field, Kiger would call his own number, punching it in from 3 yards away, making the score 21-0 with just over two minutes to play.
Lakewood’s offense still sputtered and would go three-and-out again, giving Burne Union another chance to score with just over a minute to work with. Fortunately for Lakewood, the last-second field goal would come up just short as the score going into halftime would remain 21-0.
Lakewood got the ball to start the second half and would do little with it, being forced to punt. Kiger marched his Rockets into prime scoring position but made a costly mistake throwing his second pick of the game again to Castle in the end zone.
Lakewood was forced to punt again and, by following his blockers, Ashton O’Rourke would return the punt 53 yards for a touchdown. That would make it a commanding 28-0 lead, which is how it would remain going into the fourth quarter.
Lakewood fumbled it away as on its next drive, leading to a quick score by RB Mayson Walton as he punched it in from 7 yards out, building Burne Union’s lead to 35-0.
On the kickoff following the touchdown, Lakewood failed too recover the kick, giving Burne Union possession back. However, Lakewood would get the ball back as the Rockets fumbled the ensuing the snap.
The Lancers, after recovering the fumble, marched down to the red zone and would finally get on the board as QB Jalen Write ran it in from 4 yards out. The Lancers missed the extra point, making the score 35-6.
Shortly after the kick return the Rockets fumbled the ball on the 13-yard line. One play later, RB Max Gabriel ran it in for the second score for the Lancers with 40 seconds remaining. The extra point would be right down the middle and that would make the score 35-13 which would be how the game ended.
Next week Lakewood will host the 2-1 Liberty Union Lions, who are coming fresh off a dominating win over Meigs. Berne Union will stay at home as they will host the 3-0 Miller Falcons who themselves are coming off a dominating victory at home.