HOWARD LAKE – Coming off a blowout loss a week ago, the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted football team was looking to bounce back against their arch rival Maple Lake Friday night. The Lakers did just that with an impressive defensive effort, but ultimately fell short as the Irish held on for a 7-0 victory in a defensive battle throughout.
Maple Lake’s Alex Toedter scored form 25 yards out with just over a minute left in the first quarter, and that’s the scoring there would be as both defenses were in control the rest of the way.
The Lakers, who fall to 1-2 in the Mid State Sub 1 District with the loss, finally got their offense going in the second half, but three interceptions kept them from reaching the end zone. The Lakers had just 54 yards of offense and two first downs in the first half, but controlled things in the second half on both sides of the ball.
With just over nine minutes left to play, senior Quarterback Brennan Barth led his team on a nice drive hoping to tie the game. After getting into Maple Lake’s side of the field, the Lakers were picked off once again as the Irish held on for the win despite just two first downs in the second half.
The Lakers are back in action Friday, Sept. 29 at Paynesville. Look for a full recap on the matchup between the Lakers and Irish in the September 29 edition of the Herald Journal.