Strand Helps Lead Lakers to 28-14 Win Over Thief River Falls

THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN (KDLM) – Sophomore Caden Strand got his first career start at quarterback for the Lakers in Thief River Falls on Friday night and helped lead Detroit Lakes to a 28-14 win over the Prowlers.

After forcing the Lakers to a three-and-out on their first drive, Thief River Falls used a patient, methodical running approach to score their first points against Detroit Lakes since October 18, 2017. The Lakers had outscored TRF 199-0 in their last four meetings. The one-yard touchdown plunge by Griffen Lundeen gave the Prowlers a 6-0 lead with 27 seconds left in the first quarter after the extra point was blocked. Clock management and big first downs by TRF held the Lakers to only three plays and six total yards in the first quarter.

But Strand and the Lakers would take advantage of every possession in the second quarter taking a 7-6 late with five minutes left in the quarter after a 27-yard touchdown pass from Strand to Charlie Kalina. The Lakers would get the ball back with two minutes left in the quarter and Strand would lead them on an 81-yard drive, capped off by another touchdown grab by Kalina with eleven seconds in the half, to extend the Laker lead to 14-6.

Strand showed his mobility outside of the pocket in the third quarter with a 52-yard touchdown scramble on the Lakers’ first possession of the third quarter. The Lakers got the ball back on the TRF 10-yard line after a bad snap sailed over the head of the punter. Two plays later, Ethan Carrier scored an eight-yard rushing touchdown to give the Lakers a 28-6 lead.

Strand finished the game with 82 passing yards and two touchdowns, and 99 yards rushing with a touchdown. Kalina had three receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns.

Laker kicker Nick Buboltz was a perfect four-for-four on his extra points.

The win improves the Lakers to 3-0 as they get ready for the Battle for the Paddle at Mollberg Field against the Perham Yellowjackets next Friday night. The Prowlers fall to 0-3 and will host Fergus Falls.

SCORING SUMMARY:

DL 0 14 14 0 28

TRF 6 0 0 8 14

 

SCORING PLAYS:

Q1 –

TRF: Griffin Lundeen 1-yd TD run (Spears XP blocked), 00:27

Q2 –

DL: Caleb Strand 27-yd TD pass to Charlie Kalina (Buboltz XP good), 5:45

DL: Caleb Strand 21-yd TD pass to Charlie Kalina (Buboltz XP good), 00:11

Q3 –

DL: Caleb Strand 52-yd TD run (Buboltz XP good), 11:07

DL: Ethan Carrier 8-yd TD run (Buboltz XP good), 5:35

Q4: Jake Friedrich 8-yd TD run (2PT conversion good), 00:47