Lake City romps sans injured QB Smyly

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

COEUR d’ALENE — With their starting quarterback sidelined on Friday night, the Lake City Timberwolves took to the ground and pounded out 326 yards rushing on the way to a 46-18 win over the Wenatchee Panthers in nonleague action.

“I was really pleased with how we came out tonight,” Lake City coach Van Troxel said. “The whole team played well and it was a complete team effort tonight.”

Senior quarterback Mark Smyly was sidelined after suffering a partially separated right (throwing) shoulder against Lewiston last week.

“With Mark going out last week, we had to adjust a couple things this week,” Troxel said. “Bobby (Traverse) stepped in and did a great job.”

Senior running back Allen Carmichael had 117 yards and a touchdown for Lake City (5-2), which hosts Sandpoint on Friday.

“We started the season with a bad loss to Capital, but after we beat Glacier Peak we kind of got things going,” Carmichael said. “I’ve had an injured ankle and am pretty beat up right now, but I’m glad I can still run. Our line blocked well and I just started hitting the holes tonight. They’ve really started to step it up.”

Kaleb Mitchell rushed for 100 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown on the Timberwolves’ second possession of the game.

“We definitely had some things going well for us tonight,” Mitchell said. “We’re just hoping it continues throughout the rest of the season.”

Traverse, a junior, completed 8 of 11 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown in relief of Smyly.

“I’ve played with Bobby for a couple years now,” Mitchell said. “Everyone on the team had to step up and make this a good homecoming.”

Lake City senior safety Dylan Eastin intercepted a tipped pass from Wenatchee quarterback Cooper Helm and returned it to the 23-yard line to set up the Timberwolves’ second scoring drive of the night.

Nolan Johnston had 52 yards rushing for Wenatchee (4-3).

Wenatchee 0 6 0 12 — 18

Lake City 14 12 13 7 — 46

LC — Kaleb Mitchell 41 run (Brian Griswold kick)

LC — Mitchell 1 run (Brian Griswold kick)

Wen — Nolan Johnston 1 run (kick failed)

LC — Bobby Traverse 1 run (kick failed)

LC — Allen Carmichael 10 run (kick failed)

LC — Robbie Quinn 46 run (kick failed)

LC — Quinn 29 pass from Traverse (Colton Carlson kick)

Wen — Johnston 2 run (kick failed)

Wen — Noah Fenhaus 1 run (kick failed)

LC — Levi Hewitt 20 run (Carlson kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Wen, Fenhaus 3-4, Johnston 16-52, Helm 9-20, Williams 2-3. LC, Carmichael 11-117, Mitchell 12-100, Quinn 2-54, Traverse 4-17, B. Martz 1-3, Hewitt 4-38.

PASSING — Wen, Helm 12-22-116-1, Johnston 1-1-3. LC, Traverse 8-11-83.

RECEIVING — Wen, Black 2-25, Johnston 4-22, Holmberg 2-18, Jaeger 5-51. LC, Carmichael 1-9, Carlson 3-32, Quinn 2-24, Mitchell 2-45, Burgess 1-2.