Lakes sets school record with seventh win

Updated: October 21, 2011 11:41PM

Lakes set a school record for wins (7-2 record) in a season and tuned up for the playoffs by crushing visiting Round Lake 55-6 on Friday night.

The Eagles had the ball seven times in the first half and scored on every possession.

Three of the scores were set up by turnovers, as Round Lake muffed a punt, fumbled on a kickoff return and threw a pick.

Meanwhile, Lakes’ offense operated like a well-oiled machine.

Running back Direll Clark (8 carries, 54 yards) scored on runs of 6, 5 and 5 yards. He also returned the second-half kickoff 65 yards for a score and a 55-0 lead.

Quarterback Chris Hoffman (4-153, 2 TDs rushing, and 3-4-51 yards, 1 TD passing) scored on QB keepers from 47 and 50y ares out, and threw a 34-yard TD pass to John Gomulka.

Asthon Norwood completed the first-half festivities with a 1-yard TD run.

The entire second half was played with the running lock.

Round Lake got on the board in the fourth quarter when an 83-yard drive was capped by a 14-yard pass from Anthony Burton to Tyler Hernandez.

After the game, Lakes coach Luke Mertens clearly was happy with his team’s showing.

“It was a good momentum-builder for us,” he said. “We did what we wanted to do. We’re excited to be back in the playoffs and excited to see who we’ll be playing next week.”

Despite the lopsided victory, Mertens isn’t worried about his team not being ready for postseason play.

“If you’re not focused for the playoffs, then you shouldn’t be playing,” the coach said.

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