Lakers show heart, ability in loss to Saginaw Nouvel

A huge third down stand.
Tristan Wruble makes the tackle.

Luke Voelker

Report fron HCP Sports Editor Steve Jias:

While the score isn’t what EPBP wanted to see at the end of the game, the effort on the field was certainly there. The Laker’s season ended as they bowed to Saginaw Nouvel 24-7 in the first round of the playoffs.

EPBP couldn’t take advantage of a couple Nouvel miscues early in the game as they were stopped at the goal line on two separate occasions.
Lakers scored first on a Luke Voelker pass on 3rd and 8 for a 65 yard TD strike and then added the point after. Unfortunately, that would be the only points EPBP would see.

The score was tied at 7-7 at the half.
Lakers came out with an onside kick that was successful, but couldn’t move the ball.

The Panthers were stopped by the Laker D and were forced to kick a field goal….certainly a moral victory to keep the game close. As the third quarter pressed on, it was becoming apparent that the Green Machine was getting tired. Nouvel was starting to move the ball at will – and the Lakers were running out of gas. EPBP had been on the field too long and couldn’t sustain a drive to rest the D or to put points on the board.

Overall, the Lakers had a good showing. They have a lot to be proud of. Coach Gardy made a point of letting his team know that they played the two time state champ – and the Panthers were the best there was – and that the Lakers had them on the ropes…….and they did.
I heard from two people how impressed they were with the Laker team – one was a gentleman who was on the chain gang. He commented that the Lakers were the best disciplined team the Panthers have faced. The other was the sports director at TV5. He couldn’t say enough about how impressed he was with the Lakers. He commented that the Lakers could have folded after the two goal line stands – but they didn’t.

EPBP has nothing to be ashamed of in their loss. They represented their school and the Thumb well. Does anyone hear the hum of the Green Machine returning? I do.