Even Mother Nature can’t stop the Lions

(Above) Mitchell Raber used some track skills to hurdle over this Forest City player. The leap paid off, as Raber ended up in the endzone for the second touchdown of the game for the Lions. -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

By Michelle Watson

Mother Nature was an unwelcome player in Friday night’s match-up between the Clear Lake Lions and the Forest City Indians.  Despite cold and windy conditions, Jaylen DeVries still passed for 127-yards.  Combine that with a stout run game and suffocating defense and it’s no wonder the Lions were able to come away with a 35-0 victory.

“It was definitely a cold night with tough elements,” said Coach Jared DeVries.  “But the kids played hard.”

The Lions set the tone early, converting several third downs to keep the ball moving down the field.  Jayden O’Brien-Green carried the ball several times before finding the endzone 5:30 into the game.  Hunter Nielsen’s PAT was good, 7-0.

A poor punt followed the Indians first possession giving the Lions good field position at the 38-yard line.  On the fourth down at the 17-yard line, Clear Lake decided to give it a shot. Jaylen DeVries completed a pass to Mitchell Raber for the Lion’s second touchdown.  Another good kick by Nielsen saw the Lions end the first quarter with a 14-0 lead.

Following a sack by Austin Larson, Forest City turned the ball over on downs to open the second quarter.  Another poor punt by the Indians gave Clear Lake the ball on the 21-yard line.  Clear Lake squandered the opportunity with a fumble.  The Lions redeemed themselves on their next possession when DeVries connected with Kody Kearns on a 56-yard pass to the endzone.  Another successful PAT and the Lions went up, 21-0.  But Clear Lake wasn’t ready to relinquish the ball just yet.  On the ensuing kickoff, the Lions caught the Indians off guard with an onside kick, taking possession on the 44-yard line.  Little came of the opportunity, as Forest City took over on downs before the clock expired.

The Lions didn’t get things rolling again until mid-way through the third quarter.  Forest City’s punt struggles continued, as another shank gave Clear Lake possession in Forest City territory.  O’Brien-Green got the ball to Forest City’s 29-yard line. Raber took over from there and ended on the 15-yard line for another first down.  DeVries then kept the ball, broke some tackles and put the Lions on the doorstep, setting Jagger Schmidt up for a another Lions TD.  Following a Forest City punt, Clear Lake kept the ball rolling in their favor.  A completed pass to Kearns put the Lions on the 18-yard line.  A quarterback sneak took DeVries to the endzone.  A successful PAT by Nielsen brought the score to 35-0.

With the continuous clock, the fourth quarter went quickly.  Neither team scored and the game ended with Clear Lake garnering its third straight shut-out -- a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since 2010.  The win moved the Lions to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in the District.

“We played some lights out defense tonight,” said DeVries.  “We will work on our offense and we’ll have that ready to go by Friday night.  The kids continue to practice hard and it’s showing up in games.”

The Lions had 308 total yards of offense compared to just 55 for Forest City.  DeVries collected many of those yards, both in the air and on the ground.  DeVries rushed for 92-yards on 15 attempts. He completed seven of 18 attempts for 127-yards passing.  O’Brien-Green also had a good night.  He had 100-yards on 22 carries.  He also had one reception for 12-yards.

Kearns was the leading receiver with 84-yards on four receptions.  Raber had two catches for 31-yards.

The Lions travel to New Hampton on Friday night to face the Chickasaws who are 4-3.