LEBANON - In just two minutes and 39 seconds at the end of the first half, Lebanon went from trailing North Montgomery 8-7 to go up 28-8 at the half. Lebanon won 42-22.
The Tigers used two touchdown passes from quarterback Jackson Folden and a 70 yard punt return by Kaden Lark to take control of the Sagamore Conference game.
The two teams traded touchdowns early. The Tigers scored first with 3:59 in the first quarter when Folden ran a 1 yard plunge. After the successful extra point, Lebanon took a 7-0 lead.
North Montgomery (2-2, 1-1 SAC) responded with a 15-play 63 yard drive in 4:56. Austin Sulc found paydirt from 4 yards out. A Noah Hopkins two-pint conversion gave North their only lead in the game 8-7.
The score stayed the same until Lebanon broke it open. The scoring spurt started when Folden found Mason Crew for a 14 yard strike. The Tigers went 86 yards in 12 plays.
Disaster struck North Montgomery when Lebanon covered the ensuing kickoff on their own 28 yard line. It took the Tiger offense just one minute to score when Folden hit on a 30 yard pass. After the extra point kick Lebanon had all the momentum to go up 21-8.
After holding North to a quick 3-and-out, the Chargers were forced to punt. Lark outran the punt coverage down the Lebanon sideline for a 70 yard score and to increase the Tiger lead to 28-8 going into the half
North Montgomery coach Josh Thompson gave Lebanon a lot of credit after the game.
“Lebanon came out and played,” Thompson said. “We have to find a way to match that intensity in all the Sagamore Conference games. We had too many mistakes that we had to overcome”.
The Tigers went in to score 28 straight point by receiving the second half kickoff and promptly marched 55 yards in seven plays. Brendan Shockley scored from the one yard line to out Lebanon up 35-8 with 8:14 in the third period.
After North scored with 5:42 left in the third quarter it was Lark again burning the Charger defense. This time the speedster scored on a short 5-yard pass and then ran past defenders for an 85-yard touchdown.
Lark finished the game with eight receptions for 183 yards. Add the punt return and he finished the game wjth 253 all-purpose yards with the three touchdowns.
A late fourth quarter score by the Chargers finished out the scoring.
The Chargers had problems in the penalty department. They were flagged 11 times for 67 yards.
Charger signal caller Ross Dyson put together another good game. He connected on 25 of 34 passes for 238 yards. He also led the Chargers in rushing with 64 yards.
North Montgomery ended the game with 323 total yards. Lebanon had 342 total yards.
Thompson said his team needs to get ready for Western Boone at home next week
“We need to live and learn from this game starting tomorrow,” Thompson said.
