Glen Lake escaped East Jordan 7-6 with a thrilling victory to move to 4-1 on the season with a big Northwest Conference win Friday.
The Lakers knew it was going to be a tough game and it turned into a four-quarter brawl.
“It’s one of those classic games that people like to see,” Glen Lake coach Jesse Smith said. “It shows a lot of growth, especially.”
Glen Lake and East Jordan went into halftime deadlocked 0-0. East Jordan scored off a short hitch pass that went for over 50 yards to take a 6-0 lead. The Red Devils went for two and were stuffed to swing the momentum slightly towards the Lakers.
During last year’s game it happened the same way, but this time the Lakers managed to find the endzone late in the fourth quarter to win the game.
“It shows that growth. A big step for the team and the program.”
This was a preview of what playoff football is about: Everyone gets everybodies best shot.
The Lakers did get down to the goal line multiple times throughout the game but came up short.
Glen Lake’s offensive line held strong all night and reestablished the run game in the second half behind the pads of Fletcher Middleton and Sam Dykstra at running back.
Glen Lake junior quarterback Caden Sheehan came in the fourth quarter for the gamewinning drive.
The Lakers will welcome a strong Div. 6 Kalkaska team for Homecoming on Friday.
Glen Lake athlete Benji Allen knew everybody had to step up in that moment and be 1/11th of the team.
“We can take that punch and know to punch back and that one thing is not gonna affect us and if we just keep doing our thing, the rest of the game, everything will play out on our side,” Allen said.
Glen Lake will be looking to win its first homecoming game in three years. They already broke one streak against Frankfort earlier this season for its first win over the Panthers since 2019.
The Lakers will welcome a motivated Div. 6 Kalkaska team Friday for Homecoming. Glen Lake defeated the Blazers last year.
Glen Lake senior wide receiver and kicker Boden Fisher knocked in the game winning extra point.
“It was down to the wire and you had nerves going. But I mean, you just have to rally as a team … We played as a team,marched it down and then just to kick it in was awesome. It felt great,” Fisher said. “We just have to show up and do what we do (to win homecoming).”
Glen Lake sophomore Travis Stein made the game winning interception with moments left on the scoreboard to seal the win for the Lakers.
“The younger guy that steps up in that big spotlight when we need him to make a play. Everyone’s got full faith in the kid. (Stein) worked his butt off. It was great watching them having that good spotlight on the game,” Allen said.
