Mistakes cost Lions against the Indians

by Marianne Gasaway 

Clear Lake football players and coaches are concentrating more on themselves than the competition this week, as the Lions are looking to break a three game losing streak. The formerly second ranked Lions (Class 2A) fell to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the district after a 28-27 loss to Forest City (2-2, 2-0) Friday night.

The record is deceiving, considering Clear Lake is five points away from being undefeated.  However, losses are hard to swallow — especially when the talent is there, says Head Coach Jared DeVries.

“It’s what we’re doing, or not doing, that’s costing us.  We need to concentrate on our own football team and do things right.  Whether it’s  offense, defense or special teams, when we do it right we will be successful,” said DeVries.

Mistakes in critical situations put the Lions in a hole early against Forest City.  The Indians took the opening drive 78-yards and kicked a PAT for a quick 7-0 lead.  The Lions were quick to respond with a drive of their own which took them all the way to the Indian seven-yard line.  A fumble by quarterback Carson Toebe gave Forest City the ball and just four plays later they scored again, making the lead 14-0.

The Lion defense did its best to provide some momentum for the team, as Sam Nelson intercepted a pass in the closing seconds of the first quarter.  Fueled by completions between Toebe and sophomore Zeke Nelson, playing in his first varsity game, the Lion offense moved the ball from the midfield to the end zone in 10 plays.  A three-yard touchdown pass to Tyres Green put the Lions on the board, 14-7.

The Lion defense forced another error on the next possession.  Facing a three-and-out situation, the snap sailed over the head of Forest City punter Dawson Urbatsch and the Lions were quick to take him down on the three-yard line.  Jaden O’Brien-Green followed his blockers to pay dirt and the score was 14-13 with 7:34 remaining in the half.

Zeke Nelson jumped on another Indian fumble minutes later at the Forest City 36, but this time the offense couldn’t move the chains and the half ended with the home team ahead, 14-13.

A much-improved second quarter, in which the Lions out-gained the Indians 115 to five, had the team feeling optimistic as the second half got underway, but momentum was quickly lost.  On the first play from scrimmage another Lion fumble gave Forest City the ball on the Lion three.  Two plays later the score was 20-13.  The Indians missed the PAT, but a roughing the kicker penalty gave Forest City another chance.  The Indians opted to go for a two-point conversion from the one and one-half yard line.  That play ultimately would give them the win.

An 86-yard touchdown pass from Toebe to Green pulled the Lions to within three points, 22-19.  The PAT was blocked.

The Lions employed their hurry-up offense and had the Indians on their heels, as they marched 66-yards and scored on a 10-yard scamper by O’Brien-

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Green. Clear Lake grabbed its first lead,  27-22, with just over three-minutes to go in the third quarter.

The Lion defense rose to the challenge and shut the Indians down and Clear Lake quickly got the ball back as the quarter was coming to a close.  A holding penalty interrupted the progress and an Indian score early in the fourth put Forest City ahead, 28-27.  The Indians’ two-point attempt was intercepted, keeping the Lions’ hopes alive.

The opportunity to score was within reach as the clock ticked down.  The Lions were 75-yards away from the end zone with just under five-minutes to play. They effectively moved the ball from their own 25 to the Forest City 17 before another turnover ended the threat.  A Toebe pass was tipped and intercepted. An unsportsmanlike penalty gave the Indians the ball and control of the clock. Forest City celebrated its first victory over the Lions since 2016.

Coach DeVries acknowledged Zeke Nelson was a bright spot for the offense with three receptions for 92-yards, however he had hoped to let the talent develop in junior varsity game.  Injuries made it necessary for Nelson and others to see varsity action.  Against the Indians, the Lions were without Austin Warnke on the line and wide receiver PJ Feuerbach.  Jagger Schmitt has been battling an ankle injury. Those players, and more, are seeing only limited practice, or none at all, according to the coach.

Despite being without some of its regulars, the Lions produced more than 420 yards of offense.  Toebe was 17 for 34 passing with two touchdowns.  Green hauled in five passes for 143-yards and two touchdowns.  O’Brien-Green carried the ball 20 times for 91-yards and two TDs.

The Lion defense was tested trying to bring down senior back Reese Moore, who carried 37 times for 187-yards and four touchdowns.  The team only had one additional yard gained by another player.  Forest City quarterback Carter Bruckhoff was 8/15 for 159-yards in the air.

Sam Nelson had a team high seven tackles for the Lions, all solo.  Jagger Schmitt recorded five tackles, three of the solo.  Andrew Crane and Jett Neuberger made four and one-half tackles apiece and Thomas Gansen  and Toebe had four.  Other tackle leaders included Caden Jones with three and one-half and Timel Christian with three.

This week the Lions host Hampton-Dumont (0-3) for Homecoming.  The Bulldogs are coming off an 18-4 victory over Clarion-Goldfield.  Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

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