LAPEL — After continuing its dominance over one neighbor, Lapel sets its focus on another.
In its home opener on Friday, the Bulldogs improved to 2-0 on the season with a 49-12 win against visiting school-district rivals.
Lapel has beaten Frankton 12 straight times and has won 17 straight against Madison County foes.
For the second straight week, Lapel got off to a quick start. It scored all 49 points in the first half and led 49-6 at the break.
In the previous week’s 44-7 win at Wabash, Lapel did all of its scoring in the first two periods.
“Putting up 49 points in the first half, we’ll take that every Friday we can do it,” Lapel coach Tim Miller said. “The kids came out ready to play. The effort was there and I was really happy with the way they played.”
Quarterback Brennan Stow was extremely efficient. He completed 8-of-9 passes for 185 yards and five touchdowns.
Sophomore Nick Witte and freshman Rylie Hudson each had two touchdown receptions. Noah Hudson also caught a TD pass. Witte had three catches for 97 yards.
“Nothing we did was fancy, but Stow threw the ball well and the receivers made plays,” Miller added.
Tyler Dollar led the running game with 11 carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns.
The Bulldog defense was solid again, forcing and recovering four fumbles. Kyle Shelton had six tackles, including a pair of fumble recoveries. Dollar and Coleton Kadinger also had six tackles each.
Chandler Lowes, Charlie Pitcock and Ethan Hewitt each had tackles for losses.
Lowes, Pitcock, J.J. Baxter and Alan Buzan each caused a fumble. Luke Sundheimer and Quentin Roberts also had recoveries.
The game was delayed for more than two hours because of lightning. The teams had just started the second quarter when the game was stopped. It resumed at around 10 p.m.
The Bulldogs will see more familiar faces this Friday when they welcome Henry County rival Shenandoah.
The teams have a long history of close games, including some recent battles in sectional tournaments.
To add to the rivalry, the Raiders are now coached by Jake Stilwell, a former Lapel assistant and good friend of coach Miller.
“Shenandoah is probably our biggest rival,” Miller said. “We’ve had some great games over the years. With coach Stilwell over there now, there’s no secret he definitely knows everything we do.”
Miller said he and Stilwell still talk regularly and have remained great friends.
Stilwell was an assistant for four seasons under Miller.
“Four very successful seasons, and he was a big part of that,” Miller said of Stilwell. “He knows how we call everything and every tendency I have and knows every player.
“There’s also a fun element to the game. The players at Lapel are big coach Stilwell fans, but I guarantee they want to beat him, too.”
Lapel won last year’s game at Shenandoah 36-31.
“We’re preparing for another great Lapel-Shenandoah game. Our kids will be ready to play,” Miller said. “I think anytime Lapel and Shenandoah hook up you expect it’s going down to the wire.”
