Laker Football Team Looks Ahead to Thief River Falls After a Win Against East Grand Forks

EAST GRAND FORKS (KDLM) – The Laker football earned their second win of the season last Friday night, beating the East Grand Forks Green Wave 21-7. The Lakers battled a physical East Grand Forks Green Wave team that was searching for their first win of the season. Detroit Lakes was held scoreless in the first half but came from behind and scored 21 unanswered points to win their first road game of the season.

The first quarter ended scoreless after both teams struggled to gain some moment on offense. In the second quarter, The Green Wave put together a scoring drive after going for it on fourth down at their own 45-yard line. After keeping the drive alive, the Green Wave punched it from four yards out and converted on the extra point to make it 7-0. That possession took over 10 minutes of game time off the clock and left Detroit Lakes with less than two minutes to score before the end of the first half. The Lakers got the ball back in the final two minutes of the first half and picked up solid yardage to put themselves within field goal range with four seconds left in the half. The Lakers brought out the special teams to attempt a 40-yard field goal. The kick was missed wide left, and the Lakers went to halftime trailing 7-0.

The Lakers received the ball to begin the second half, and on the first possession of the third quarter, they fumbled the ball. East Grand Forks took over possession only to throw an interception on their first play. Laker Grady Kirchner was on the receiving end of the interception and returned the interception to the East Grand Forks 10-yard line. The Lakers were able to score on a quarterback rush to the right as Mason Carrier scored the Laker’s first touchdown. Carrier would lead the Lakers in rushing as he finished with over 20 carries and over 100 yards on the ground. After tying the game, Detroit Lakes took advantage of another turnover committed by the Green Wave offense and got the ball back to have a chance to take the lead in the third quarter. After a 15-yard loss on a failed option play and a 15-yard personal foul penalty, the Lakers were facing a 2nd down and 44. Detroit Lakes turned to the passing game, and after the Lakers picked up 22 yards through the air to Charlie Kalina, they then connected on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Mason Carrier to Tyson Ullyott with 1:38 left in the 3rd quarter.

Detroit Lakes was able to add on more insurance in the 4th quarter and put the game out of reach late in the 4th when Mason Carrier scored his second rushing touchdown to make it 21-7 with 1:28 left in the game. The Green Wave looked to get a late touchdown after driving down the field on the last possession thanks to two big pass plays from Drew Carpenter to Damian Bushaw. However, the Laker defense came through with an interception in the end zone by Tyson Ullyott to end the offense for the Green Wave.

The win improves the Lakers’ record to 2-0 on the season. East Grand Forks drops to 0-2.

This week Detroit Lakes will once again be on the road and will look for a faster start as they take on the Thief River Falls Prowlers (0-2). The Prowlers were leading for most of their game last week against the Perham Yellowjackets but could not hang on for the win as they fell to the Yellow Jackets 13-10.

Laker football can be heard on Friday night at 6 pm, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 pm on KDLM and the Lakes Area Radio App.

Passing:

DL- Mason Carrier 10/14 103 yards 1 TD

EGF- Drew Carpenter 4/7 97 yards 0 TD

Rushing:

Mason Carrier 22 carries for 103 yards and 2 TDs

Ethan Carrier 9 carries for 25 yards

Grady Kirchner 5 carries for 45 yards

Receiving:

Grady Kirchner 4 receptions for 26 yards

Charlie Kalina 3 receptions for 43 yards

Tyson Ullyott 1 reception for 22 yards and a TD

Ethan Carrier 1 reception for 24 yards

Breck Winter 1 reception for 10 yards

Scoring plays:

1:54 left in the 1st quarter EGF’s Grant Burger rushes for a 4-yard touchdown. Carpenter’s PAT is good.

10:20 left in the 3rd quarter DL’s Mason Carrier rushes for a 10-yard touchdown. Nick Buboltz’s PAT is good.

1:38 left in the 3rd quarter, DL’s Carrier passes to Tyson Ullyott for a 22-yard touchdown pass. Buboltz’s PAT is good.

1:28 left in the 4th quarter DL’s Mason Carrier rushes for a 2-yard rushing touchdown. Buboltz’s PAT is good.