Lake City gets off to fast start, speeds to win over Sandpoint

Eight offensive plays, three touchdowns and 225 total yards. Two 50-yard touchdown passes. A 78-yard touchdown on a bubble screen.

And that was just Lake City’s offense in the first quarter.

Sandpoint tried to keep up but the Timberwolves rarely slowed down – other than committing some costly penalties – en route to a 54-25 victory over the visiting Bulldogs on Friday.

Versatile Jerry Louie-McGee ran away from defenders all night. He collected four touchdowns, two on long runs and two on yards-after-the-catch receptions.

“I just catch the ball and I just run,” Louie-McGee said. “My downfield blockers help me out a lot.”

The 5-foot-9 speedster doesn’t need much help to get loose. He finished with 152 yards receiving and 134 rushing. He had a 42-yard touchdown run called back early in the fourth quarter because he lined up offside. He raced 47 yards on the ensuing play.

“I looked at the ref, he looked at me and I swear he put a thumbs-up,” said Louie-McGee, who credits track – he won the 5A 400 meters last spring – for helping improve his speed. “He threw a flag and called me on the line. That made me mad, I was like, ‘I’m getting my touchdown back.’ ”

Lake City (5-1) put many of its weapons on display. Michael Goggin passed for 314 yards and three scores. Connor Newby added 112 yards rushing and two TDs. Brandon Dotson had four catches for 96 yards and Colin Hunter had a touchdown run and reception.

“Part of the scheme is how many different ways can we get (Louie-McGee) the football,” coach Van Troxel said. “It’s a great counterbalance. When they concentrate on Newby, Jerry runs wild. When they concentrate on Jerry, Newby has success.”

The 4A Bulldogs (3-3) moved the ball well in the first quarter, piling up 134 yards and scoring on Wyatt McCormick’s 14-yard touchdown reception. Sandpoint appeared to cut into LC’s 20-7 lead early in the second quarter but a penalty erased Tyler Harris’ 42-yard touchdown run. Sam Slusser intercepted a Davan Norris pass on the next play.

Sandpoint kept it interesting, using workhorse Kyle Perry’s 90 yards rushing and Nate Loutzenhiser’s 161 yards passing. Perry scored twice in the fourth quarter to make it a two-score difference but each time the Timberwolves answered quickly.