All-around effort lifts Deer Lakes past Laurel for first win of season

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, October 14, 2017 | 12:09 AM

Deer Lakes traveled to Lawrence County on Friday night in search of its first victory of the season, and thanks to a complete effort on defense and strong running game featuring Josh Solomon, the mission was a success.

Solomon rushed for three touchdowns, and the Lancers defense forced two turnovers in a 33-0 win over Laurel.

Solomon scored on runs of 6, 14 and 42 yards. He finished with 143 yards on 30 carries. Deer Lakes held a 13-0 lead at halftime and then the running game took charge over the final two quarters. Behind solid blocking from his offensive line, Solomon, one of only six seniors on the Lancers roster, rushed for 89 yards in the final two quarters.

“I knew I had to step up, and I thought my line stepped up as well,” Solomon said. “I thought we put one together in the second half. We ran a lot, and I was excited because I love to run the ball.”

Deer Lakes struck quickly on its first drive. On the Lancers' fourth play, Aris Hasley threw a pass from the 30 that was caught by Ethan Bender near midfield. Bender then shrugged off a defender and ran down the sideline for a 70-yard touchdown to make it 6-0.

Following a failed fake punt near midfield by Laurel (1-7), Deer Lakes (1-6) struck again on its next possession with Solomon's first touchdown of the game.

Deer Lakes coach Steve Sciullo said he was pleased to see his team gain confidence from its first couple of drives.

“I was happy to see our kids play four quarters and continue to execute,” Sciullo said. “You always get a little nervous when you are this late into a season without a win. It feels great to get that zero off our backs. We'll celebrate tonight, then get back to it and get ready for Shady Side (Academy).”

Laurel had a an opportunity to cut into the lead late in the second quarter when they had first-and-goal at the Lancers' 10, but Chad Tindal fought through the line and forced a fumble that was recovered by the Lancers.

“A couple of different times we had the ball in perfect position to capitalize, and we ended up having different penalties,” Laurel coach Brian Cooper said. “You have to get past it. Next thing you know, they're blitzing and we miss the blitz and we fumble in the backfield. We had too many mistakes, bottom line. It was the difference in the football game because we had opportunities in the first half, and we shot ourselves in the foot.

“It's kind of what we've been doing all season. We're young, inexperienced and we show it when we make mistakes like that.”

Deer Lakes' defense also stopped a fourth-and-goal at the 4-yard line in the first, and Jared Colton had an interception deep in Laurel territory that set up another touchdown in the fourth.

“The defense played spectacularly tonight,” Solomon said. “Our middle linebackers stopped them up front, and our defensive backs stopped them over top. It was a great game all around. It was really exciting.”

Hasley threw for 129 yards and two scores. He split time with Bender at quarterback. Hasley threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Colton in the fourth to close the scoring.

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer.

Tags: Deer Lakes, Laurel