LAPEL — One of the great strengths of the Lapel football team is a quarterback who is in his third year as a starter. Another is the wealth of weapons at his disposal on offense.
Levi Frazier threw for 294 yards and four touchdowns as the Bulldogs rolled up nearly 600 yards in total offense and routed Frankton 54-13 Friday, Aug. 25.
Frazier was both efficient and democratic. He completed 22 of 31 pass attempts to five receivers, and his touchdown passes were to four receivers. Frazier’s jersey was also clean at the end of the night, a testament to the work done by his offensive line, the key to Lapel’s success according to coach Tim Miller.
“Levi had a lot of time to sit back there and read,” Miller said. “And with our receivers, that’s a dangerous thing for people. And Levi’s decision-making is spot on right now.”
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Click here to purchase photos from this galleryPreston Scott caught five passes for 141 yards and a touchdown, while Frazier found Caleb Bloom, Josiah Hudson and Charlie Prough for additional scores. Frazier also credited his offensive line and game preparation for much of his success.
“We watched film on (Frankton) this week and knew how they were going to cover certain routes,” Frazier said. “As long as my line gives me time, which they did tonight quite generously, it’s just sitting back and picking out who to throw to.”
Frazier said having a wealth of weapons makes his job easier. And more fun.
“I love it,” he said. “I can trust all five and not worry about if that guy is going to catch it.”
Junior Connor Gill caught six passes for 55 yards, Bloom had five receptions, Prough had five catches, including a second TD pass from backup quarterback Cole Alexander, and Hudson caught two out of the backfield.
The aerial assault by Frazier was complemented by 230 yards rushing, led by senior Dawson Phillips with 12 carries for 84 yards and a score. Hudson added 69 yards, and sophomore Josiah Scott piled up 63 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Miller gave credit to his assistants for shutting down the Frankton offense, which had scored 87 points in its opener against APA. They allowed two 60-yard touchdowns, but no other plays of more than 18 yards.
“Our defensive coaches are absolutely phenomenal,” Miller said. “They stopped asking my opinion on anything about three years ago. They always have our team prepared.”
With the touchdowns by Hudson and Phillips and a pair of field goals by sophomore Malachi Qualls, the Bulldogs led 20-0 late in the first quarter. Frankton struck for a 60-yard pass from Travis McGuire to Noah Van Slyke with 1:05 left in the first quarter.
But the Bulldogs countered with a seven-play, 65-yard drive in just 53 seconds to strike again on an eight-yard pass to Prough for a 27-7 lead at the break. With Frankton receiving the second half kickoff, it was important to kill its momentum before halftime.
“It was really big,” Miller said. “Once we scored in less than a minute with just one time out, that was pretty deflating for them.”
The Bulldogs face a stiff test Friday, Sept.1, when they travel to Class 1A second-ranked Adams Central.
