Glen Lake football got back on the right track, despite being down to its third-string quarterback in a 34-0 win over Johannesburg-Lewiston Friday.
“It felt good to get the win based on the situation,” Glen Lake coach Jesse Smith said.
After going into the half up 12-0, Glen Lake decided to put in junior Levi Wetmore after quarterbacks Max Lamerson and Parker Robinson went down with injuries.
“(Wetmore) took charge and it was a test for the guys,” Smith said. “Having to adjust the game plan shows the signs of a great program and team.”
The Lakers (3-2) bounced back after two straight losses, thanks to a two-touchdown performance from senior Ben Diotte.
Diotte first got started on defense, causing havoc and forcing Johannesburg-Lewiston to punt on its opening possession. Diotte then rushed for the opening touchdown from 15-yards out to take a 6-0 lead.
The Cardinals (2-3) got the ball moving after quarterback Peyton Basinski and Cash Cunningham found success and advanced into Laker territory.
Glen Lake’s defense stiffened and forced the Cardinals into a turnover on downs.
Lamerson found senior running back Max Galla for a 28-yard pass, which set Galla up for a 15-yard rushing touchdown on the very next play to go up 12-0.
A Dominic Stein tackle for loss and a Galla pass deflection led the Cardinals off the field late in the first. Penalties would plague both teams for the rest of the half.
Glen Lake had an ejection late in the first quarter, and every time the Cardinals started flying, a penalty would set them back.
The Cardinals got into the red zone off a pair of rushes from Basinski. Then two penalties stalled the drive. Glen Lake senior Kingston Palmer broke up a pass, and senior Griffen Dilley made a monster tackle for loss to turn Jo’Burg over.
Johannesburg-Lewiston senior defensive tackle Keaton Wells was a problem all night, stuffing the Lakers multiple times and getting the ball back for his team after Glen Lake advanced deep into Cardinal territory off a pair of Diotte runs.
On the next possession, a Glen Lake interception by senior Toby Bradford would be called back due to a roughing the passer penalty, and the Cardinals would run out the clock going into halftime.
Glen Lake went to its third-string quarterback in the second half, junior Levi Wetmore, who hadn’t taken any snaps during the week.
Laker sophomore Hunter Kemp broke away for 20 yards, then Gavin Sheehan went 50-yards off a jet sweep for a touchdown. Diotte would make the 2-point conversion (20-0).
Palmer recovered a Cardinal fumble just a few plays later for the Lakers.
Sheehan would get Glen Lake down to the goal line off a sweep and a bubble, and Diotte would finish the job from 1-yard out on 4th & goal to take a 26-0 lead. Wetmore would score the 2-point conversion to take a 28-0 lead. Palmer scored the final touchdown of the game.
The Lakers hit the road to Oscoda and the Cardinals battle Mancelona at home (7 p.m.).
