David Wurst and the Dragons made quick work of the Troy Colts last Friday, scoring repeatedly on quick drives en route to an easy 35-0 win.
Though he didn’t score a touchdown on the first drive of the game, Wurst’s 66 all-purpose yards were just the beginning of a huge night for the senior wideout.
On three of the next four Dragon possessions, Wurst scored on a 55-yard reception, 64-yard run and 91-yard reception, doing most of the work himself in the open field.
Those three scoring drives lasted three plays, two plays and one play from scrimmage, respectively. When those drives were over, no more plays were needed in this game.
‘That’s the kind of athlete David is,? Coach Chris Bell said after the game. ‘He’s our big play guy.?
Lake Orion took a 28-0 lead into the break and only two remotely intriguing questions remained for the second half: Would the defense preserve a shutout, and could Wurst, just a dozen yards away, set a new school record for yards from scrimmage?
As they did in the first half, the Dragon defense turned away the only serious Troy threat with an interception, this one by Joe Barnes (Jake Gaudard had the first).
Bell said the defense blew a few assignments, ‘but they kept them out of the end zone.?
Check number one. The shutout was secure.
But when running back Arron Allen scampered in from four-yards out to put the Dragons up 35-0, the night for Wurst, like most of the Lake Orion starters, was over.
Wurst finished with 168 yards receiving and 86 yards rushing, both team highs, but ended up just shy of a team record with 254 yards from scrimmage.
He had 285 all-purpose yards, which includes return yardage.
Quarterback Chris Lum was efficient in his season debut, putting all but one of his passes on the hands of the intended target.
He finished 8-of-11 for 216 yards and three touchdowns.
‘We did a great job in the passing game today,? Bell noted. ‘Our kids made some big plays. We’ve got weapons.?
On the defensive side, Kelly and Josh Allison led the way with eight tackles apiece. The Allison sack watch began as well, with the senior defensive tackle notching two.
Allison’s 25 sacks a year ago was one off the state record.
Next up for the Dragons is the home opener against Rochester (0-1), losers of a 32-29 outcome versus Groves.
Kickoff is slated for 6:55 p.m. Thursday night (due to Labor Day weekend) at Dragon Stadium.