Win over Spirit Lake sends the Lions to 2A quarterfinal

(Above) Despite some tough defense, Clear Lake’s Kody Kearns came down with the pass.  Kearns was also a force on defense leading the team with nine solo and two assist tackles.  He also had two solo tackles for loss.  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

By Marianne Gasaway

         The play was fast and furious, as second ranked Clear Lake rattled off 21 first quarter points on their way to a first round play-off victory over Spirit Lake Friday night.  The 21-7 win sends the Lions (10-0) to the 2A quarterfinals Friday night.  As the higher ranked team, they will host Williamsburg at Lions Field in a 7 p.m. game.

The Lions wasted no time getting down to business against Spirit Lake.  Impressive runs and pass receptions set up quick scores, but the Indians weren’t without their own fireworks.  They drove the ball inside the Lion 15 twice, only to be stopped on downs.

        “The defense was absolutely amazing— red zone and goal line stops.  It is a credit to the toughness of these kids, their belief in one another, the process and the team,” said Head Coach Jared DeVries.

        The Lion offense was no slouch either.  Clear Lake racked up 403-yards of offense, compared to 300 for Spirit Lake.  Two-hundred sixty-eight of the Lions’ yards came in the fast and furious first half.

        The Lions needed just three plays after taking the opening kickoff to put seven points on the scoreboard. Quarterback Jaylen DeVries made runs of 59, five and three-yards to get the onslaught started.

        There was barely time to celebrate before the Indians, who started at their own 13, were in position to slap back.  Kolby Richter cut through the Lion line for a 69-yard romp and just a few plays later Spirit Lake was inside the Lion 10.  That’s when the Lion defense rose up for their first stop. Ty Fisher sacked quarterback Brent Scott and the Indians turned the ball over on downs at the 13.

        The Lions’ second possession was almost as quick as their first.  A 75-yard pass play from DeVries to Nick Danielson and PAT from Hunter Nielsen put Clear Lake ahead 14-0 just four-minutes into the game.

A good kickoff pinned the Indians on their own 13, but they didn’t stay down for long.  Using an offense similar to Clear Lake’s, they moved the ball all the way to the Lion 14 before Jack Barragy intercepted a pass to record Clear Lake’s second bend-but-don’t break moment.

        The Lions’ defensive effort was rewarded by their offense.  DeVries and company tacked on another score with a four play, 80-yard drive capped by a 36-yard completion to Kody Kearns.

Jack Barragy had an interception just before the half to keep the Indians scoreless in the first half.

        The Indians recorded their only score on a 86-yard kickoff return to open the second half.

Momentum seemed to be swinging Spirit Lake’s way after a defensive stop was helped by a poor punt.  The Indians took over at midfield and progressed to first and goal just inside the 10.  Four consecutive stops by the Lion line ended the threat.

        The Lions also had some chances to score down the stretch, but came up short.  Meanwhile, the defense stopped the Indians on fourth and three at the 20 and fourth and goal at the one.

The defense was key in the win, holding Spirit Lake to just seven points.  Kearns was the leading tackler with nine solo, two assists and two solo tackles for loss.  Barragy and Ty Fisher each had seven solo tackles and three assists.  Barragy finished with three solo tackles for loss and Fisher had one.  Tyres Green, Jagger Schmitt and Sam Nelson had three solo tackles apiece, with Nelson making one of his for a loss.

Richter finished with 125-yards on 11 carries for the Indians.  Scott was 9/19 passing for 102-yards.  The QB also picked up 69-yards rushing on 19 carries for the 6-4 Indians.

DeVries was 10/21 passing for 148-yards and he was the leading ground-gainer with 10-yards on 23 carries.  Jaden O’Brien-Green also topped the century mark with 109-yards rushing on 15 carries.

“I’m proud of the guys for continuing to fight, no matter the situation,” said DeVries.  “They believe in one another and that is what makes us able to be successful.”

Looking ahead to Williamsburg, DeVries said the Lions will be meeting a talented team.

“They have an extremely fast running back, who is second in the State in the 100 meter dash,” said DeVries.  “We are going to have to be prepared for him on defense and special teams.”