T-Wolves roll again
It’s not that it’s a bad pattern, but Lake City High football coach Van Troxel would prefer faster starts.
For the third game in a row, the Timberwolves needed a half to get untracked. For the third game in a row, Lake City pulled away in the final two quarters.
The top-ranked Timberwolves gave Madison a rude welcome to the 5A ranks Friday as LC smothered the Bobcats 41-14 in a non-league game at LC.
LC’s tough-nosed defense coupled with a big-play touchdown and two Pat Jewell field goals allowed the Timberwolves (3-0) to take a 13-0 lead into halftime.
Stingy defense, along with a big-play offense, allowed LC to apply the paddle in the second half.
It would be just fine with Troxel if his team – particularly the offense – decided to contribute a tad earlier from this point forward. LC had just a 3-0 lead at intermission in its season-opening 23-0 win over defending state champ Meridian and the T-Wolves had to come from behind for a 10-7 at halftime last week in their eventual 42-17 victory over Kennewick.
“We kept shooting ourselves in the foot, but they (the Bobcats) caused some of our problems early,” Troxel said. “I guess after three of these it’s starting to look like we’re a second-half ballclub. We’re just going to work on getting better starts.”
LC’s victory impressed Madison coach Mitch Buck, whose Bobcats slip to 2-1 after back-to-back wins over 4A Bonneville (26-14) and Blackfoot (36-34).
“It could have been a really good game, but they’ve been a second-half team. We were really out of position in the second half in the secondary and they picked on that,” Buck said. “Then those outside veers (option runs), we didn’t squeeze and they popped those runs. They’ve got enough speed that they can do that.”
Madison junior quarterback Brett Evans attempted 41 passes in a spread-option attack, but many of his passes were hurried. And eight times Evans found himself on his back still holding the ball because of LC’s swarming front.
“The defense played a very good ballgame,” Troxel said. “I’m really excited about the defense. There are a lot of plusses defensively.”
LC overcame its slow start quickly in the second half, scoring three third-quarter TDs to open a 34-0 lead.
Junior running back B.J. Palmer got the offensive barrage started when he sprinted 67 yards for the first TD in the third quarter.
After the defense held again, it took just three plays for the T-Wolves to score when Seth Sanders, following 52- and 6-yard runs by Palmer, scored from 2 yards out with 6:39 left in the third period.
After the defense held again – no this isn’t a broken record – LC quarterback Garren Hammons found wide receiver Tyler Sanders wide open in the middle for a 69-yard TD connection on the third play of the T-Wolves’ next series. With just less than 13 minutes left in the game, LC led 34-0.
“They’ve got a lot of good speed on their team – in the backfield and their wide receivers,” Buck said. “They put a lot of stress on you in every phase of the game. That’s what makes a good team. They’re not just one-dimensional. They run option well, but they can also throw the ball well.”
Penalties were the one thing that bothered Troxel. The T-Wolves were penalized 16 times. The clocked was stopped frequently considering Madison also was penalized 13 times.
“We weren’t as polished as I’d like to be, but we’ve got time to do that,” Troxel said. “Sixteen penalties – that’s got to be cleaned up.”
LC plays a third straight game at home next week when Sandpoint (0-4) visits. The T-Wolves will then have a bye before taking on crosstown rival Coeur d’Alene (2-1) on Sept. 29 at CdA.