BY NORM MCKEE
Special To The Review
A near perfect night for Homecoming brought out the largest Lake Orion crowd of the season, as the Dragons defeated Birmingham Groves, 30-7, on Sept. 30.
Lake Orion improved their record to 5-1, just one win away from an automatic post-season playoff position.
Although sophomore quarterback Chris Lum got his first start of the season; and led the Dragon offense, going five for eight for 156 yards and two touchdowns; it was the Dragon defense that stymied the Falcons all night.
The normally explosive Falcons found the going tough, recording only 30 yards of total offense. Other than a 33-yard first quarter touchdown pass, Groves had negative yardage on the night.
The Dragons controlled the line of scrimmage and won the turnover battle. Joe Barnes picked up five tackles and an interception, while Nick Dunstan had four tackles and a pick.
Scott Avery recorded five tackles and a fumble recovery.
Senior Andy Miller led Orion’s offensive charge, picking up 141 yards on 28 carries, putting the Dragons on the board in the first quarter with a two-yard run.
Groves answered on their next possession when Justin Williams hit Aaron Mells for a 33-yard scoring strike to tie the game at seven early in the second quarter.
The Dragons regained the lead on their next possession, when Lum found Joe Nowicki for a 46-yard score. Dylan Van Fossen’s extra point (four for four) gave Orion a 14-7 halftime advantage.
Lum opened the third quarter connecting with David Wurst for a 58-yard scoring strike and Miller scored again on a one-yard plunge mid-way through the third.
The Dragons also picked up their second safety of the season on a fourth-quarter sack.
Lake Orion travels to Farmington Hills Harrison on Friday. This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams since Harrison joined the OAA.
Harrison holds a 2-1 lead in the series, and is currently tied with the Dragons and Clarkston, at 5-1, for second place in the OAA.