Lions fall in final football battle of the season

(Above) Clear Lake’s Jake Peterson (50) brings down a Chickasaw running back in Friday night’s game.  Also pictured for Clear Lake is Cody Matz (89, Joey Monson (63) and Luke Eggers (34).  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

A 7-6 score at halftime turned into a 22-6 defeat for the Clear Lake Lions at New Hampton Friday, Oct. 22.  The loss left the Lions with a 3-4 record in Class 2A, District 2, eliminating them from the play-offs for the first time in 19 years.  The team finished 3-6 overall.

Fifth ranked New Hampton finished as runner-up to Crestwood in District 2.  Both teams begin play-off action Friday Oct. 28.  Crestwood (7-2) will meet Union, LaPorte City (8-1).  New Hampton (8-1) will meet North Faytte Valley (9-0).

As it did all season long, the Lion defense kept their opponent’s offense at bay for the first half.  At the same time the Lion offense, with freshman quarterback Jaylen DeVries in the lineup for the injured Thomas Storbeck, did its best to surprise the Chickasaws.

The Lions mounted their longest non-scoring drive of the season on their very first possession.  DeVries came out firing, connecting with fellow frosh Nick Danielson on the first play.  With a mix of passes, including a 32-yard completion to Cody Matz, and runs the Lions moved the ball all the way to the New Hampton nine before turning it over on downs.

The Chickasaws also came up empty on their first possession, as the Lion defense never let the home team cross mid-field.

Clear Lake mounted another sustained drive on their second touch.  Senior Nick Eggers capped a 14-play, 70-yard scoring drive with a straight ahead power run into the end zone from the four-yard line.  DeVries was sacked on the two-point conversion try, making the score 6-0 Lions.

The satisfaction of going on top was short-lived, as the Chickasaws quickly recorded a touchdown on three plays and kicked the PAT to go ahead, 7-6, as the first quarter came to a close.

Momentum seemed to be turning to New Hampton’s favor, as the Lions had a quick four-and-out, but the bounce on punter Zach Lester’s soccer-style punt caused a New Hampton fumble and Clear Lake was back in business on the 26-yard line.

Both defenses stiffened as the second quarter wore on and the score remained 7-6 at the half.  The statistics were close, with the Lions picking up 130-yards on offense, with 119 by air, to New Hampton’s 179.

The second half was all Chickasaws, as they systematically took the opening kickoff 66-yards for a score.  A successful two-point conversion put the home team up, 15-6.

The Clear Lake offense was less successful.  They failed to move the ball and were forced to punt from the 10, giving New Hampton the ball back on the Lion 38.  After three consecutive first downs, Keaton Geerts scored his third TD of the night and the PAT made the score 22-6 with 4:30 left in the third.  Geerts finished with 226 of the Chickasaw’s 261 yards rushing in the game.  Quarterback Carter Stochl threw for 104-yards.

The never-say-die Lions roared back as the third quarter ticked away.

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DeVries spread his completions out among Danielson, Lester and Drew Enke to move the ball all the way to the nine-yard line.  The drive stalled and Clear Lake’s last, best chance to score was gone.  New Hampton rode out the majority of the quarter to seal the win.

DeVries was 18-37 passing for 187-yards.  Matz grabbed five passes for 58-yards, Lester had four for 56-yards, Danielson had three for 39, and Enke made five catches for 34-yards.  Kyle Calaguas had one reception for no gain.  The senior back was also stopped on the ground, finishing with -11-yards.  DeVries also had negative yardage on the ground with -15.  Eggers recorded the only positive yardage, carrying eight times for 14-yards.

The Lions defense was led by juniors Joey Monson and Max McKenna, each with six solo tackles.  Monson also had six tackle assists and McKenna made four.  Another junior, Luke Eggers, was credited with five solo and six tackle assists.  Matz finished with four solo and seven tackle assists, while Will Kirschbaum made four solo tackles and three assists.  Senior Ryan Atkinson had three solo tackles.  Seniors Jake Peterson and Toyne each made two solo tackles, while Nick Eggers, Torian Lee and Kyle Willms each had one.

Lester and Toyne each made fumble recoveries in the game.

Coach Jared DeVries said he and his players were disappointed to not send the seniors out with a victory in their final game.

“The kids played hard and didn’t give up— they played with heart like they have all year,” said DeVries after the game.  “This has been a great group to work with and they played hard.  We thank the seniors for their example. The seniors on this team have been nothing but outstanding, they’ve learned throughout the season, they’ve developed into better leaders, it’s been fun watching them grow up as men. The team has been a pleasure.”

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