SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP —
The University School Preppers traveled into Lakeside Friday night and pulled off a big win over the Lakeside Dragons, 28-6.
After forcing Lakeside to punt on their first possession, University (2-4) marched quickly down the field on a five-play drive that resulted in quarterback John Gannon connecting on a long 55-yard pass to wide receiver Luke Vadas for the early score, giving the Preppers a 7-0 lead over Lakeside.
Lakeside (1-5) was able to come back and put together an eight-play drive but came away with nothing, giving the ball back to the Preppers, who would score again, this time a 20-yard touchdown pass from the same combo, Gannon to Vadas, pushing the lead to 14-0.
Lakeside ended the first quarter on a drive that would continue into the second quarter, and that is when Dragons found the endzone.
On a 12-play drive, Lakeside would find the end zone as junior quarterback Tyler Loftus connected with senior Chad McAfee for 18 yards . The extra point was no good, making it 14-6.
“The key (is) we mixed it up very well,” Dragons coach Ryan David said. “We ran, we pass, we’ve been running the ball a lot. (It) keeps our defense off of the field, and our offense on the field.”
With the score still 14-6, Lakeside orchestrated another impressive drive, taking the ball down to the US 5.
A quarterback sneak on fourth and goal from the 5 was greeted by the Preppers defense, allowing only two yards and stalling the drive.
“That was a big moment,” US coach Jim Stevens said.
The score remained 14-6 heading into the fourth, but University was able to find its offensive stride to score twice more over the final 12 minutes.
Junior running back Andrew Dorogi had a field day, adding up 23 carries for 253 yards and two fourth quarter touchdowns. The last of which was a one-play 53-yard dash giving US the 28-6 lead and eventual final score.
Shawn Gilbert helped lead the Lakeside defense with two interceptions, Nick Senita had two sacks, Jared Patton one and a half, and Jameel Bradley half a sack.
As for the Lakeside offense Tyler Loftus was 17-of-33 for 171 yards and a touchdown, while Manny Lucas ran the ball 26 times for 66 yards on the ground.
“We are still pretty young, we have a hard time finishing,” Stevens said. “That was his first game starting. Give the O-line a lot of credit, and the wide receivers blocked downfield.”
“Give a great deal of credit to Lakeside, they are vastly improved. They were well coached.”
“We tell our team they train horses to take the halters off, (we have to) take it off,” David said. “We are maturing as a team, we will get there.”
Velotta is a freelance writer from Concord Township.
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