Glen Lake football stormed their way into Manton Friday night and took care of business during a 55-0 win to start the 2024 season.
Glen Lake scored early and often, as the Lakers torched the Manton’s defense for 41 points in the first half.
“The tone was set by the offensive line ... opening lanes for our running backs and our (defensive line) was not letting Manton get going,” Glen Lake coach Jesse Smith said.
The Lakers dominated the game on the ground with 18 rushes for 301 yards. Glen Lake offensive guards Braden Roush and Henry Plamondon paved the way for the Lakers running attack. Both were named offensive players of the week, according to Glen Lake coaches.
They averaged 18.6 yards a play on only 21 plays for 390 yards total with zero turnovers.
Glen Lake's defense barely moved, allowing 65 total yards on 39 plays. Laker running back Fletcher Middleton had four rushes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Middleton had 4.5 tackles on defense. Sam Dykstra had two rushes for 78 yards and a touchdown. His longest rush went for 50 yards and a touchdown.
Glen Lake senior Benji Allen had a 40-yard touchdown run on offense; 5.5 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss on defense. Allen also snagged one interception to complete the quick evening. Boden Fisher also scored a touchdown, while successfully booting seven point after attempts. Fisher also tacked on 55 receiving yards and returned a punt for a touchdown from 45 yards out.
Glen Lake’s offense featured two quarterbacks throughout the night with seniors Keaton LaCross and Benji Allen taking snaps.
With the emergence of LaCross, his teammate Allen, one of the best athletes in the area can be used as another weapon across the field.
“Each quarterback, they are good in different situations and we play that hot hand,” Smith said.
LaCross threw a perfect game going 3-for-3 for 89 yards through the air.
Glen Lake seniors Isaac Hlvaka and Noah Scott each scored their first touchdowns in Laker uniform.
The Lakers will head to Frankfort for a primetime match up on Friday at 7 p.m.
Frankfort defeated Mancelona in a classic 40-38 win.
Carter Kirby did it all for the Panthers with 18 rushes for 74 yards, two touchdowns, 8/9 passing, 85 yards, 2 PAT’s, and 10 tackles.
Glen Lake hasn’t beaten Frankfort since 2019.
“The senior group really wants this win,” Smith said. “We have to start with being disciplined and making sure we can control the line of scrimmage against big plays. We have to grind it out. They have a dual threat quarterback who can run it and throw it.”
Lakers comeback against Kalkaska
The Glen Lake volleyball team came back down two sets during a non-conference match against Kalkaska to win the game last week.
The Lakers lost the first two sets by a slim margin, but came back to dominate and win the last three sets (3-2).
The fifth set, which was played to 15, ended with a battle and a final score of 21-19.
Kalkaska jumped out to a 17-25 first set win, followed by a 23-25 second set win. Glen Lake would go on to win the next three sets 25-21, 25-19, 21-19.
The Lakers team serving percentage proved the difference as Glen Lake completed 98 of 110 serves.
Leading the team with kills was sophomore, Avery Flores with 10, and senior Peyton Brown and sophomore Olivia Reed with nine kills each.
Glen Lake will hit the road to face Lake Leelanau St. Mary today at 7 p.m.
Glen Lake volleyball will return for the first home game of the season against Onekama on Thursday, September 12 at 7 p.m.
