Lake County falls to Humboldt in Region 7A slugfest

 

Jason Peevyhouse

Editor, JP Productions Sports

In a game which saw the Falcons and Vikings combine for 89 points in a back-and-forth battle up and down the field Friday night, Lake County was unable to cash-in on a late opportunity and fell 47-42 to Humboldt on Senior Night in Tiptonville.

The Vikings struck first as Humboldt was aided by a KD Taylor to Jeremiah Jones pass for 60 yards across midfield midway through the opening drive. Taylor then hit Jaden Champion for a six-yard touchdown pass. The extra point gave the Vikings a 7-0 lead with 10:25 left in the first quarter.

Lake County kept their offense on the ground as running back Ka’devon Gross and quarterback Cade Lanier were the workhorses of a 65-yard scoring drive. This included a 51-yard run across midfield by Gross which set up a one-yard scoring run by the senior back two plays later. Landon Crockett then added the extra point to tie the game at 7-7 with 8:29 left in the first frame.

The Falcons’ special teams then came up with a big play as the kicking team recovered an onside give Lake County the ball at the Humboldt 49-yard line.

After a penalty moved the Falcons five yards closer, Lake County went back to work on the ground chewing up the remaining 44 yards. After a Randy Remos run for 12 yards picked up a first down in the red zone, Lanier capped the drive with a 19-yard touchdown run. The extra point failed, leaving the Falcons on top 13-7 with 6:28 left in the quarter,

The Vikings had an answer after recovering the ensuing onside kick. It took only six plays for Humboldt to get to the end zone as Taylor found an open Ty Campbell for a 22-yard touchdown pass with 3:43 left in the quarter. The Viking extra point attempt failed, leaving the score tied at 13-13.

Neither team were able to score on the next possession as Lake County saw a potential scoring drive end on an interception by Champion in the end zone while the Lake County defense stopped the Vikings near midfield.

Lake County was able to get back on the board on the next drive with Lanier doing most of the legwork (running) for the Falcons. The sophomore quarterback carried the ball five times during the six-play drive. However, on the fifth carry, Lanier fumbled as he approached the end zone. The Falcons caught a big break as Jataveion Ricks dove on the loose ball to recover the fumble and get the touchdown. The two-point conversion was good as Lanier scored to put the Falcons on top 21-13 with 7:43 left in the half.

Humoldt’s answer was quick as a 48-yard pass from Taylor to Darion Taylor set up a three-yard touchdown run by Jones. The two-point conversion pass was incomplete but Humboldt had cut the Lake County lead to 21-19 with 7:15 left in the half.

Neither team was able to score on their next possessions, but a Lake County fumble late in the half led to a pair of late scores.

One play after the fumble deep in Humboldt territory, Viking quarterback Taylor hit Tyland Richmond for an 86-yard touchdown pass. The two-pointer failed but Humboldt took a 25-21 lead with the touchdown pass.

The Falcons showed they had the ability to score quickly as Gross broke free for a 75-yard return touchdown on the ensuing kickoff to answer. Crockett added the extra point to put Lake County on top 28-25 with 1:05 left in the half.

Lake County was able to keep the Vikings out of the end zone for the final 65 seconds of the first half to take a three-point lead into the half.

The Vikings were able to stop the first Lake County drive in Humboldt territory then went to work on offense. A seven-play, 67-yard drive followed with the Vikings scoring on a 14-yard pass from KD Taylor to Darion Taylor. Jones added the two-point conversion to extend the Humboldt lead to 33-28 with 6:44 left in the third quarter.

Lake County looked to answer on the ensuing drive and was able to chew up both yardage and, just as valuable, time on the next possession. But, with Lanier and Gross alternating carries, a late penalty near the goal line led to a large chunk of time running off the clock. It was at this point, too, the Vikings were able to stop the Falcon progress and keep Lake County out of the end zone.

Humboldt wasted little time capitalizing on the momentum as Taylor hit Jones in stride for a 93-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter. Taylor then found Champion for the two-point conversion to extend the Viking lead to 41-28.

Lake County didn’t go quietly into the night. The Falcons bridged the late third quarter and early fourth with a lengthy scoring drive. The legs of Lanier and Gross got the Falcons down the field from the Falcon 40-yard line to the 11-yard line. From there, Gross scored almost untouched. Crockett tacked on the PAT to cut the Viking lead to 41-35 with 8:15 left in the game.

The Vikings, though, went back to the air and showed how quick they could answer as Taylor hit Jones for another long strike. This one covered 67 yards. The two-point attempt fell incomplete but Humboldt now led 47-35 with 7:54 left.

Lake County continued to battle, getting a 43-yard pass from Lanier to Demos across midfield and into Viking territory. A pair of runs from Gross covered a dozen yards then Lanier added a keeper to get them one yard closer. Gross then scored on a five-yard run to cut into the Viking lead. Crockett’s extra point made the score 47-42 in Humboldt’s favor with 5:11 left.

The Falcon defense then came up with a big stop to give Lake County the ball back, but at its own 32-yard line.

The Vikings answered with a defensive stand of their own to secure the win.

Lake County returns to action on Friday when the Falcons travel to Greenfield to take on the Yellowjackets at 7 p.m.

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