A few too many mistakes cost Lake Orion in their season opener at Eastern Michigan Friday against Rockford.
The Rams won the marquee game of the Big Day Prep Showdown, 17-7.
Rockford took a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter after the Dragons turned it over with a bad snap on a punt. After the turnover, Jordan Morren scored on a three-yard scamper.
Lake Orion tied it in the second quarter when freshman quarterback Sean Charette hit Jeff Heath on an 11-yard touchdown pass.
Rockford took the lead into the break, however, when Paul Mudgett converted on a 21-yard field goal try just before halftime.
Rockford was driving in the third quarter before A.J. Gill came up with a key fumble recovery.
Alas, the Dragons couldn’t capitalize, going 17 yards in the wrong direction before punting back to the Rams.
Rockford scored on the ensuing drive with Morren capping a 41-yard drive on a 1-yard TD run, to round out the scoring.
The Rams missed a field goal and had a long touchdown run called back in the fourth quarter, but the Dragons couldn’t muster enough offense for any sort of comeback.
Lake Orion’s first first down of the half came on a pass interference penalty with just over four minutes to play. An interception later on that drive ended any realistic chances for the Dragons.
‘It was just poor execution offensively,? Coach Chris Bell said. ‘There’s no other way to put it. You can’t make those mistakes against a team like Rockford.?
The Dragons showcased their new no-huddle attack, which included a quarterback rotation of Charette and senior Derek Coe, along with a head coach who was nowhere to be found on the field.
‘I have to be able to see things quickly,? Bell said. ‘That’s why I’m up in the box.?
The coach credited his defense for going ‘toe-to-toe? with Rockford, a traditional power on the west side of the state.
Their strong play, though, was not enough to overcome the miscues.
‘Field position, penalties and turnovers,? Bell said. ‘If you lose those three categories, you’re not going to beat Rockford.?
Look for more reaction in next week’s Lake Orion Review.