Indian Lake put up a fight against Liberty Center Friday night in the DV State Semifinal, but the Tigers were too much as they knocked out the Lakers 42-10.
Indian Lake took the opening kickoff down the field and settled for a 34-yard field goal from Avery Pequignot for a 3-0 lead.
Liberty Center marched right down the field and scored a touchdown with 4:46 left in the first quarter for a 7-3 lead.
The Tigers defense took over for the next quarter as they forced Indian Lake to punt on three straight series. Liberty Center blocked one of the punts to set up a short field for another touchdown.
Down 28-3 with time winding down in the first half, Indian Lake put together their best drive of the game when Brady Golliday found Gavin Henry for a 39-yard touchdown with 34 seconds left. Indian Lake built a little momentum going into halftime, down 28-10.
But Liberty Center silenced the Lakers one play into the third quarter when Garrison Kruse took a handoff 75 yards for a touchdown and a 35-10 lead.
The Tigers would add one final score in the third quarter to put in the running clock.
Indian Lake did put up some yards against one of the toughest defenses in the state. The Lakers finished with 246 yards on offense. Brady Golliday went 14-30 for 222 yards and a touchdown. Brodey Reisinger finished with 7 catches for 134 yards. Gavin Henry had 3 catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.
For Liberty Center, Garrison Kruse ran for 177 yards on only 7 carries with a touchdown.
The Tigers defense sacked Golliday 5 times.
Indian Lake finishes the season 11-3, making their first trip to the State Semifinal.
Liberty Center will play in the Division V State Championship game for the third consecutive season. They will face Wheelersburg Saturday night, December 6, at 7:30.
Indian Lake Head Coach Jonn Rapp says he told his team after the game he’s proud of them:
