Lakeside outlast Medical Lake in shootout
Defenses became an endangered species Friday night as two Northeast A football foes combined to score 97 points in what ended up as a major win for Lakeside over Medical Lake.
After several long scoring passes and runs, the Eagles soared 63-34 over the Cardinals. The win puts Lakeside at 4-1 with its third league victory in three tries.
The loss dropped Medical Lake to 2-3, 1-2.
“This was a big win for us on the road,” Lakeside coach Brian Dunn said. “This has been a house of horrors for us through the years. It’s nice to get a win at Medical Lake.”
Lakeside’s Cameron Gay threw four touchdown passes, three to Coleton Collins, who also scored on a 26-yard run in the fourth quarter.
The offensive star of the night for Medical Lake was T.J. Johnson. The 5-foot-10, 140-pound speedster always seemed to get outside for long runs.
He ran a reverse around the left end for a 68-yard touchdown to tie the game in the first quarter. Then before halftime, Cory Wagner threw a ball that floated Johnson’s way.
Johnson outbattled Lakeside’s Justin Moffatt for the ball and then ran it 71 yards for a touchdown.
In the third quarter, Johnson scored on an 80-yard run.
“(Johnson) is a tremendous athlete,” Dunn said. “But I’ve got a couple good athletes, too.”
The teams traded touchdowns like sluggers trade punches. Johnson’s 80-yard score made it 49-34 going into the final period.
“Coach (Wes) Hobbs got his team ready to go. I didn’t think we’d ever stop them,” Dunn said.
With Medical Lake back within 15, Lakeside’s Chase Kuhnert ran for a 1-yard touchdown to put the game out of reach.
“Going into the fourth quarter, it was still anybody’s ball game,” Dunn said. “But we played a little defense when it counted.”
Already having scored on a touchdown pass of 78 yards and two of 9 yards, Collins ended the scoring with his 26-yard scammper with 1:34 left in the game.
Gay also had a 27-yard touchdown throw to Moffatt.
“I’m glad I don’t have to call in the stats,” Dunn said. “I’d be here all night.”