Friday, September 7, 2018

Dragons Get Big W at Adams.

Written Saturday September 8th at 12:00 AM

The talk last week was that the Dragons have hit rock bottom.

The talk now on Friday night was it was a good start to getting back to that foundation.

Lake Orion had to come from behind and beat the Rochester Adams Highlanders 28-24 in Rochester into which the Highlanders introduced their new stadium with new field turf, bleachers, and scoreboard in the process.

The first quarter started with a bang for the Highlanders as Mark Patrino scored rushing from three yards out for a 7-0 lead.

The Dragons would then get a fumble and take advantage of the turnover a few plays later as Blaze Lauer found Mitchell Howell tying the score at 7-7.

Lake Orion’s defense was opportunistic would then get another defensive takeway and in the ensuing drive. Lauer found Kobe Manzo giving the Dragons their first lead of the season at 14-7. Lake Orion would then shut Adams down for the rest of the half keeping their advantage.

The third quarter started great for the Highlanders as they went down the field behind quarterback Carter Farris and Patrino but they would have to settle for a field goal and a 14-10 Lake Orion lead.

The Dragons would then respond going down the field and connecting on a Lauer forth down at midfield. Six plays later Manzo found the endzone again and a 21-10 lead.

Adams would then respond again as Patrino went corner to corner from 25 yards out making the score 21-17 Lake Orion.

In the fourth quarter Farris went deep connecting with wide receiver Reece Collins for a 55 yard passing touchdown and a 24-21 Highlanders lead with ten minutes remaining in the game.

Lake Orion would then respond after a key fourth down stop stopping Patrino and the Adams offense but they needed to overcome another fourth down as Lauer kept the drive alive deep into Adams territory.

The Dragons would then respond with 1:24 left in the game as Jack DeBrincat scored from three yards out giving Lake Orion the lead back at 28-24.

Lake Orion needed a defensive stop and they got it thanks to some key defensive stops that ran the clock out.

This is a huge win for the Dragons and for coach John Blackstock. The offense has seemed to have returned from the doldrums scoring 28 points, doubling the total points in the last two games. The defense had their moments but its still a work in progress.

Lake Orion was outgained by Adams 390-197 but penalties and mistakes doomed the Highlanders in the game. Lauer was nine for 17 for 102 yards and three touchdowns. He would rush seven times for 11 yards. Manzo had 15 carries for 61 yards and five catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns in the game.

Lake Orion is 1-2 and 1-1 on the season and will host Troy Athens next week.

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