By Joe St. Henry
Review Special Writer
Lake Orion took the field against West Bloomfield on Friday knowing it had to take advantage of every offensive series to keep pace with the No. 3 state-ranked Lakers.
Unfortunately, missed opportunities and a stout Laker defense kept the visiting Dragons off the scoreboard while the Lakers? playmakers led them to a 27-0 victory.
Despite leading in time of possession, Lake Orion could only muster 211 yards of offense. This included converting only 4-12 third-down tries and going 1-5 on fourth downs. The Dragons were inside Laker territory multiple times but did not score.
The loss dropped Lake Orion’s record to 2-3 (2-2 OAA Red). The Dragons must win their remaining four games to secure an automatic playoff berth.
‘The kids played hard, but as a team we didn’t execute very well,? said head Coach Chris Bell. ‘It was one of those games where if we could correct a few things we’d love to have another shot at them.?
West Bloomfield jumped to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter. The Lakers opened the game with a 75-yard, 11-play drive and, after blocking a punt on Lake Orion’s first offensive series, took advantage of a short field to move 16 yards and a second score.
The Dragons, led by the running of junior Keith Fields, drove to the Lakers? 15-yard line in the second quarter. The 15-play drive stalled, however, when West Bloomfield sacked Lake Orion quarterback Caden Prieskorn on third down and the Dragons missed a 41-yard field goal.
Lake Orion’s defense made its own stand late in the first half when West Bloomfield, after moving 76 yards, could not convert a fourth down from the Dragons? four-yard line with 19 seconds left, settling for a two-touchdown lead at the break.
‘Last year they physically dominated us and that was not the case this time,? Bell said. ‘We played toe-to-toe with them this time, but missed some tackles in the open field and there were a couple blown coverages. Big plays hurt us.?
The Lakers took command of the game with two third-quarter touchdowns. One on a 20-yard run and the opther on a 79-yard scamper by their quarterback. He led the Lakers with 126 yards rushing and a touchdown.
‘We thought we had their quarterback pinned deep a couple times, but he got loose and made some big plays,? Bell said. ‘There’s a reason why he is going to play Division 1 football in college.?
Lake Orion moved the ball in the second half, going deep into West Bloomfield territory twice but the drives stalled on an interception and failure to convert a fourth down.
‘We just weren’t as sharp as we needed to be,? Bell said. ‘We didn’t do a great job passing on fourth down. I’ll take the blame for that. We could’ve prepared differently.?
Fields finished with 120 yards rushing on 20 carries. He also caught three passes for 30 yards, leading the receivers. Prieskorn had 95 yards passing, completing 8-19 attempts. On the defensive side senior Connor O’Dea had an interception.
Lake Orion has no room for mistakes moving forward if the team is to qualify for the MHSAA playoffs. This week the Dragons host Stoney Creek in the first annual Pink-Out game benefiting A Mother’s Wish.
Bell said the Cougars have some great athletes and are well coached. They have a balanced offense and are aggressive on defense, using blitzes and man-to-man coverage.
‘The coaches know what’s at stake and know it’s one game at a time,? Bell said.
This Friday’s game will feature special pink jerseys on the players, donned with the names of breast cancer survivors or those who have succumbed to the disease. Lake Orion coaches will be wearing pink shirts and the marching band will have pink accents on their uniforms. After the game a special ceremony involving the team will honor the breast cancer survivors, victims and their families.