The Lake Orion football squad did its best impression of their cross country counterparts last Friday night, running up and down the Dragon Stadium field en route to a 40-0 first round playoff win over Waterford Mott.
Mott had no answer for the Dragon ground game, giving up over 300 total rushing yards to Lake Orion on the night.
‘We were happy that on a night when we couldn’t throw the ball, because of the weather conditions, that we were able to run the ball the way we did,? said Coach Chris Bell.
To make matters worse for Mott, the Dragons generated four turnovers, helping to ensure their second shutout of the season.
However, it was Lake Orion that turned the ball over on their first snap from scrimmage, giving Mott the ball inside the Dragon 20-yard-line.
The Dragon defense responded with a turnover of its own, courtesy of an interception by Joe Barnes.
Lake Orion promptly drove down the field, eventually scoring on a 12-yard pass from Chris Lum to Mike Tuzik.
After that, it was the ground game that took over, as LO scored on a David Wurst 23-yard scamper and two runs from Cortez McKinley, from six and 34 yards away.
The Dragons led 27-0 at the half and McKinley led the way with 123 yards rushing. The junior finished the night with a career-best 192 yards on the ground.
McKinley was playing in place of regular starting back Aaron Allen, who was available to play but was nursing an injury.
‘You’ve got to keep your head up and stay focused,? McKinley said of his opportunity to start. ‘You never know when your number is going to be called.
‘Aaron is a great player,? he added. ‘I’ve learned a lot from him.?
Touchdown runs by Cody Vettraino and Tony Thompson capped the scoring for the Dragons.
The team had 301 rushing yards and five touchdowns when all was said and done.
‘Obviously we had to run the ball,? Bell said. ‘You’ve got to be able to run the ball in the playoffs.?
The coach credited his offensive line for their effort in paving the way for the Lake Orion ball carriers.
‘We’ve got a lot of young guys up front, but they’re getting better every week,? he said. ‘They’re tough kids.?
In addition to the turnovers they created, the Dragon defense had five sacks, including a couple by Josh Allison.
The senior defensive lineman said he and his mates relished the opportunity to play in the sloppy conditions.
‘I love getting down and dirty,? Allison said. ‘We just showed them how to play some Dragon football today.?
Reserve defensive back Steve Denver preserved the shutout in the fourth quarter with an interception in the end zone.