MONROE — A big day for the passing game and a timely defensive stop spelled victory for the Lapel Bulldogs football team Friday, Sept. 1.
Senior Levi Frazier threw for more than 400 yards and three touchdowns, including an improvised game-winner in the second overtime to senior Dawson Philips, and the Bulldog defense turned away a potential game-winning two-point conversion as Lapel edged Adams Central 34-33.
It was the second-straight win for Lapel, which improved to 2-1, while the Jets fell to 1-2.
After both teams failed to score in the first overtime, Lapel had the ball first in the second extra period. With the defense keying on senior receiver Preston Scott, Bulldog coach Tim Miller came up with a surprise play that left Phillips wide open in the end zone.
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Click here to purchase photos from this gallery“We kind of drew it up in the dirt, to be honest,” Miller said. “I was out of stuff to call, so we gambled on the fact that they would follow Preston wherever he went. We booted Levi to the right, told Dawson to get lost for a few seconds, and Levi bought enough time to find Dawson, standing alone in the corner of the end zone.”
Sophomore Malachi Qualls tacked on the extra point for the seven-point Lapel lead. But Adams Central responded with a touchdown of its own and decided to go for the win instead of the tie, not surprising to Miller.
“I was pretty close to going for two myself,” he said. “But having Malachi back there, we were probably more confident in our kicker than they (were) in theirs.”
The Jets tried a similar scoring play to the Lapel touchdown, but senior Tony Delillo pressured the quarterback into a throw that was batted down in the secondary to seal the win.
The touchdown pass capped an impressive night from the Lapel passing game. Frazier completed 23 of 51 attempts for 408 yards and three touchdowns. Scott caught seven of those passes for 126 yards and two scores, including the tying touchdown with three minutes left in regulation. Miller said the size of the Adams Central defensive front slowed the Bulldog running game, leaving the Lapel quarterback little choice but to throw the ball downfield.
“They were pretty good up front,” Miller said. “We would like to have run the ball a little better, but you have to take what they give you. Levi’s decision-making has been really good, and he definitely has some weapons to throw to.”
The Bulldogs’ big-play passing game led to their first lead, late in the first quarter. Frazier found sophomore Charlie Prough for an 80-yard play to set up the first of two Phillips touchdown runs and a 13-6 Lapel advantage.
Prough has been one of the breakout players for the Bulldogs this year. Through three games, he has 13 catches for 257 yards and two touchdowns, but could miss some time after suffering a possible concussion versus Adams Central.
“It’s probably 50-50 that he’s ready to go Friday,” Miller said. “That’s all in the trainer’s hands.”
Phillips tied the game early in the third quarter after a Scott interception and finished the game with 59 yards on 12 rushes. Senior Josiah Hudson rushed for 39 yards before moving to receiver after the injury to Prough; he added 94 yards receiving.
Lapel forced the overtime with another comeback as Frazier hit Scott for a 26-yard touchdown with 3:12 remaining.
Miller said although it wasn’t the prettiest win he’d seen, it showed the resiliency of his team.
“I think it could be a big win to build upon,” Miller said. “I didn’t think we played our best, but the guys never quit. We had some fumbles and some blown assignments on defense, but our guys kept bouncing back.”
Lapel will play host to another tough opponent, Shenandoah, at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, for Homecoming. Miller said the Raiders are not to be underestimated.
“I’d heard rumors that Shenandoah was down (this year), and after watching film, I can tell you that is just rumors,” he said. “We have a bunch of seniors, and this would be a notch in their belt, because I don’t think they’ve ever beaten Shenandoah. Year in, year out, they are one of the better teams in the area, and this will be a good measuring stick for us.”
