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Defense carries Lakers past Raiders Indian Lake’s defense took the pressure of a potential Central Buckeye Conference Mad River division title and playoff berth on its shoulders Friday and carried the Lakers to a 26-0 win over host Benjamin Logan. The Lakers’ win gives them a 3-1 record in the CBC Mad River division and a 5-4 overall mark. Should Indian Lake win next week against Northwestern, it would clinch at least a share of the league title. Indian Lake’s stellar defense limited Ben Logan (3- 6, 2-2) to just 94 yards of total offense, including minus 17 yards rushing. The Lakers also forced two turnovers. “The defense executed very well,” said Lakers’ head coach Dave Coburn. “We had a great game plan. It was a good team effort. The defense really set the tone early.” The Raiders came into the game with three receivers with over 400 yards. Ben Logan head coach Carleton Cotner was impressed with the play of the Lakers’ secondary. “The thing I was most impressed with is that their cornerbacks were so physical with our receivers,” said Cotner. “We couldn’t get the offense going. “I’m happy for coach Coburn, though. They are in a great position now and I hope they make the playoffs and get a league title. They deserve it.” Despite the win, Coburn is not worrying about a possible playoff berth. Rather, his focus is on next week’s game. “We are just focused on the league title right now because it would be the first time in 15 years Indian Lake has won a league championship,” said Coburn. “We are focused on Northwestern and sending our seniors out with a CBC title. “As far as the playoffs go, we are just playing one week at a time. We have to have some help to get in.” The Lakers, who are eighth in their region, did receive some help Friday as Kenton fell to St. Marys Memorial 28- 14. The Wildcats are one of the teams battling the Lakers for one of the final playoff spots in Division III, Region 10. Nate Harmon got the Lakers on the board with a 6-yard touchdown run with 8:03 left in the opening quarter. The ensuing kick failed, leaving the Lakers up 6-0. A Dylon Sullivan interception led to Indian Lake’s next score. Quarterback Tyler Maddox scampered 12 yards to pay dirt. He then ran in the two-point conversion play to put the Lakers up 14-0 with 1:46 left in the opening period. “Maddox is a special player,” said Cotner. “He can hurt you running and throwing. We just couldn’t consistently stop the run and kept giving them the short field.” Ben Logan’s defense settled down in the second quarter, but a muffed punt return allowed the Lakers to get the ball back on the Raiders’ 29-yard line. “Mistakes like that have been our M.O. this season,” said Cotner. Six plays later, Indian Lake’s Thomas Taylor rumbled in from two yards out. The kick failed, but the Lakers still led 20-0 entering halftime. The Lakers’ final score came in the third quarter on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Maddox to Isaac Reichert with 4:35 left. Defensively, Ben Logan was led by Dusty Little with 14 tackles. Chris Horne added 11 tackles, Shane Quay had an interception and Billy Baughman recovered a fumble. The Lakers host Northwestern on Friday, while the Raiders host Urbana in the final CBC Mad River division matchups. |