MAPLE CITY — Glen Lake’s head coach Jesse Smith was brought to tears after winning his first regional title against East Jordan at home 28-14 Friday.
“We lost to Beal City last year and watched them get that trophy,” Smith said. “It has been eating at us all year. It feels good.”
Early in the first quarter, East Jordan’s Brady Wilson intercepted the ball on a tipped pass to Breckin Nerg and ran it back from about midfield to put the Red Devils on the board first. Maggie Shaefer’s extra-point kick was good for a 7-0 lead.
On the kickoff, Glen Lake’s Sam Dykstra raced for an 82-yard touchdown. Hunter Cox’s extra point tied the game 7-7 with 7:43 on the clock.
On fourth down during the first quarter, Glen Lake turned the ball over after a bad punt snap near the 10-yard line. Three plays later and EJ’s quarterback William Webb punched in a two-yard touchdown to take the lead. Shaefer’s kick was good 14-7.
With 52 seconds in the half, Glen Lake’s quarterback Parker Robinson connected with Nerg for a 72-yard touchdown. Cox’s extra point kick was good to tie the game 14-14 at the break.
EJ recovered an onside kick to start the second half, but the Devils threw an interception on fourth down. The Lakers would eventually scored on a 1-yard run by Fletcher Middleton for a 21-14 lead. He finished the night with two touchdowns.
The Lakers found themselves in a 3rd-and-31 when Robinson connected with Liam Palmer for a 52-yard pass play setting up a Middleton 2-yard touchdown run. The extra-point kick was good to double up the Devils 28-14.
Middleton had 13 carries for 43 yards. Dykstra rushed for 63 yards and Robinson had 44 yards rushing on seven carries.
Glen Lake’s defense was led by Dykstra and Griffin Dilley with three tackles each. Dominic Stein had two interceptions.
Glen Lake finished with 314 total yards, while EJ had 52 yards of offense.
East Jordan lost to the Lakers 22-24 during the fourth week of the season, also at Glen Lake.
The Lakers host Bark River-Harris — which defeated Iron Mountain 41-20 — next Friday.
Glen Lake went undefeated in the Northern Michigan Football Conference-Legacy with a 5-0 record and ended the regular season 7-1.
East Jordan went 2-3 in the conference and finished the regular season 7-2.
“They don’t give up,” Smith said about his Glen Lake team. “They have been pushed all year. I am just blessed to be here. I love these guys. I am proud of them.”