LEWISTOWN – Indian Lake ran past Urbana, 49-9, Friday night in CBC/MRD football.
The victory broke the Lakers’ five-game losing streak against UHS.
Indian Lake’s Cole Merritt took the opening offensive play of the game 87 yards for a touchdown, and a successful PAT attempt gave the Lakers a quick 7-0 lead.
UHS advanced the ball to the Indian Lake 44 on its ensuing possession, but the drive stalled out right there.
Urbana blocked a Laker punt moments later, and the ball was batted out of the back of the IL end zone by an Indian Lake player.
With the penalty, UHS had a safety and the Lakers’ lead was trimmed to 7-2.
Urbana’s possession after the safety went backwards, and the visitors were forced to punt.
After the punt, the Lakers benefitted from a pass interference penalty on UHS, and Andrew Holbert scored two plays later from two yards out.
With a successful PAT, the Lakers owned a 14-2 lead late in the first quarter.
The Hillclimbers fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Indian Lake was in business again at the Urbana 38.
Two plays later, the Lakers scored a TD to make it 21-2.
Early in the second quarter, the Lakers found paydirt again to push their lead to 28-2.
Later in the second quarter, Urbana went for it on fourth down and six at the Indian Lake 36, but UHS quarterback Levi Boettcher was sacked.
The Lakers (7-2, 4-0) scored another touchdown with 3:19 to go in the second quarter to go up 35-2.
The half ended with the home team on top, 35-2.
Indian Lake had 324 total yards compared to 40 for Urbana in the first half.
With a running clock, Merritt scored from 27 yards out midway through the third period to make it 42-2.
Three minutes later, Boettcher threw a pick six that was returned for a TD by Holbert to put the Lakers up, 49-2.
Urbana did convert a fake punt attempt near midfield early in the fourth quarter, and the Hillclimbers turned it into a TD three plays later when Boettcher connected with Alex Lohnes on a 45-yard pass to make it 49-9 with five minutes remaining.
Urbana (2-7, 1-3) closes out its season next Friday night at Graham.