Lake Orion won their 20th consecutive homecoming game, topping Pontiac Northern 28-6 last Friday night to move one step closer to another playoff berth.
With the victory, the Dragons also set up a huge OAA Red showdown at Clarkston this Friday night. The first-place Wolves are 7-0 in the league, while Lake Orion sits at 5-1 (5-2 overall).
‘We wanted to be in a position where we could control our own destiny, that was our goal,? Bell said. ‘We’ve got a chance to go down there (to Clarkston) and play for a share of the league championship. That’s all we can ask for.?
Lake Orion’s opening drive was kept alive by their only pass completion of the night, an 18-yard Ryan Broth to James Miller connection in Northern territory on fourth down, leading to a short Cortez McKinley touchdown run.
After that, it was all ground attack, as the Dragons reeled off 333 yards on the ground.
‘We played to our strength,? Bell said. ‘We knew that up front they probably couldn’t handle us.?
McKinley scored another first half touchdown before leaving the game with a bruised knee.
He was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure and, at press time, his status for the Clarkston game is unknown. (Visit our game-day preview at www.lakeorionreview.com on Friday morning for an update.)
A.J. Palko led Lake Orion, eclipsing the 100-yard mark and scoring a touchdown in the second half. Branden Oakes capped the scoring for the Dragons.
Oakes finished with 41 yards, Broth ran for 75 and Miller added 36 on the ground.
‘We’ve got several different backs that we can go to,? Bell said. ‘Our game plan was to go right at them and keep it between the tackles. As long as we’re getting first downs, scoring points and winning games, that’s the fun part.?
On the defensive side, the Dragons got a Robby Lentz interception and held Pontiac Northern to 142 total yards, most of which came after the outcome was decided.
‘We’ve just got to keep playing hard, keep playing tough,? Lentz said. ‘Just be ‘Orion tough? baby.?