Lake Linden Hubbell’s Nate St. Onge charges into the end zone to score Lake’s first touchdown during Saturday’s game against North Dickinson at Warner Field in Lake Linden. (Levi Elikkila/Courtesy of The Gazette)
LAKE LINDEN — There are no lights on the field at Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes (1-2), but it’s a change of pace to watch high school baseball on a Saturday afternoon, especially when the weather is nice and the action is exciting. The North Dickinson Nordiques (1-2) had chances to stop the Lakes from winning, but couldn’t keep up with the local team. Lakes led 30-8 by halftime and went on to win the game 46-32.
“I thought we controlled the line of scrimmage in the first half and our guys knew their roles well, so we just kept the ball moving and took advantage of any opportunities we had.” “We’re just trying to get the game under control,” Lakes coach Brett Gervais said. “I think in Week 1 and Week 2 we struggled because we couldn’t capitalize on drives for four or five plays. And today, at least in the first half, we were able to capitalize on drives.”
The Nordics threw the ball much more than they ran it, and that style of play helped them close the gap in the second half, even though they only ran the ball a few times.
“They throw the ball well.” Gervais said. “So in the second half, we just kept trying to not only maintain our lead but try to score.”
Nordic coach Michael Christian was very happy with his team’s performance in the second half.
“We dominated them at the line in the first half.” He said. “They totally dominated us. I thought we did a much better job in the second half.”
“We’re trying to get some success with the run, but we’re relying mostly on the pass.” Christian spoke about the team’s offensive style.
The Lakes got two onside kicks in the first quarter and had a big lead by halftime.
“This year we’ve been a lot more aggressive with our kicking game.” Gervais said. “So far it’s been successful for us.”
The Nordics started the game on offense, going 56 yards in five plays and scoring on a two-pointer to take an early 8-0 lead.
Lakes started at their own 35 with 2 minutes, 13 seconds left in the first period. With just over four minutes left, Lakes tied the score at 8-8 on a 5-yard run by St. Onge. On the ensuing kickoff, Lakes recovered the first onside kick. The home team converted it with a 39-yard TD run by Axford. The 2-point try was successful. Up 16-8 with 3 minutes, 17 seconds left in the first period, Lakes recovered their second onside kick.
Lakes fumbled at the Nordiques’ 10-yard line, but Da’Abetila intercepted the six on the next play to extend the lead to 22-8. North Dickinson managed to keep the ball on the kickoff after Lakes’ third TD, and the score remained at 22-8 going into the second quarter.
A few minutes into the second half, the Nordics lost the ball at Lake’s 14. Lake drove down the field for eight points, eating up nearly six minutes of the game. With 3:51 left in the first half, the Nordics led 30-8.
Both teams had possession of the ball before the buzzer sounded, but the score remained 30-8.
LL-H went 56 yards for a TD on the opening drive of the second quarter to take a big lead, 38-8.
The Nordics didn’t give up, and the first play from scrimmage after Lakes’ score ended with a long touchdown pass for a nice two-point score that made it 38-16.
Lakes scored on their next drive to again extend their lead, 46-16, and less than two minutes later, the Nordiques scored to cut the deficit to 46-24.
North Dickinson’s offense exploded, scoring with 5:25 left in the game, but the 46-32 deficit was too big to overcome, giving Lakes their first win of the year, 46-32.
Next
On Saturday, September 21st, Lake Linden Hubbell will take down Newberry.
North Dickinson will host Crystal Falls Forest Park on Thursday, Sept. 19.
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