Lowell used a 150-yard, two-touchdown performance by Colton Scott, dominated time of possession, and forced four Slicer turnovers leading to Friday night’s 26-7 win over visiting La Porte.
The Slicers came into the contest 1-0, fresh off of a 20-18 upset victory over 4A top-ten New Prairie. Lowell brought an 0-1 record following a one-sided 42-7 loss to Crown Point.
LP jumped to an early 7-0 lead on a 12-yard Aiden Penziol to Keigan Henckel pass. Jack Doty kicked the extra point with 8:47 left in the first quarter. This capped a three-play 76-yard drive that started after the first of two Jack Borelli interceptions. The drive was highlighted by a long Jon Laine run.
Lowell evened the score at the 2:17 mark of the second quarter. Quarterback Cameron Crago hit Zach Schamke with a 17-yard touchdown pass followed by an extra point kick by Landin Rosenthal. The score was 7-7 going into halftime.
The Red Devils put the game away with three touchdowns in the third quarter. The first was on a 45-yard run by Scott and an extra point by freshman Dylan Bisacchi. This capped an 80-yard, eight-play drive making it 14-7. Three minutes later, after a Slicer lost fumble, Scott scored again on a 14-yard run. Bisacchi’s kick was wide left making it 20-7. The third score of the period came with 47 seconds left on a 4-yard Caden Thompson run. A bad snap thwarted the extra point and the score was 26-7 entering the scoreless final period.
The Slicers missed several opportunities in the second half. They lost a fumble on their own 29-yard line in the third quarter setting up Lowell’s third score of the game. Kelli Hay ran the ensuing kickoff back to the Red Devil's 27-yard line before the Slicers turned the ball over on a fumble one play later at the 22. LaPorte drove to the Lowell 8-yard line in the 4th quarter before turning the ball over on downs.
Penziol was 15-25 passing for 146 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Henckel caught seven passes for 33 yards and a touchdown. Ollie Kring caught three passes for 45 yards, while Vann Warner snagged five for 65 yards. Laine ran four times for 43 yards. Borelli had two interceptions, one off of a deflection by Kai Jones. The Slicers also recovered a fumble.
Both teams stand 1-1 on the season. Lowell will travel to New Prairie on Friday night. The Slicers will open Duneland Conference play vs. defending 5A state champion Valparaiso on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Kiwanis Field. This game can be heard on 96.7 The Eagle with pregame starting at 6:45.
