Saturday morning the Lennox High School Oriole football team headed west to compete against Hot Springs in the s
eason opener. Hours later the team was able to return home with a win in hand.
“To drive over six hours and win a game is great,” said head coach Matt Luze. “To win it the way we did says something about the character this team has.”
Hot Springs scored first on a 20 yard touchdown pass, giving them a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter. However, Lennox answered back as Jacob Lackas scored on a 65 yard run. The point after by Tyson Stoebner was good, tieing things up at 7-all. Still in the first, Collin McEntee scored for the Orioles, scoring from seven yards out. The point after was good, giving Lennox the 14-7 lead.
In the second quarter, Lennox added to their lead as John Oldenkamp ran it in from 17 yards out. The extra point gave Lennox a 21-7 lead heading into the half.
No team scored in the third. Lennox was able to reach the endzone in the fourth, this time on a 42 yard pass from Tyler Leisinger to Lackas. The point after was no good but Lennox increased their lead, 27-7.
In the fourth, Hot Springs blocked the Orioles field goal attempt which the Trojans returned for a touchdown. Following the two point conversion the Trojans pulled within 12. However, Lennox would maintain the lead and grab the 27-15 win.
“The defense played great,” said Luze. “Offensively we need to clean up a few things but we made plays when needed.”
On the ground the Orioles rushed for 190 yards. Lackas led all rushers, running for 99 yards on eight carries, including a rushing touchdown. Oldenkamp rushed for 54 yards in the game on 12 attempts, also scoring a touchdown. McEntee rushed for 32 yards on ten carries, including a touchdown.
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