Lake City runs over Eagle

EAGLE - Just one year ago, Lake City bused down south to play a powerful Eagle High squad in the opening round of the playoffs and veteran coach Van Troxel could sense the fear.

A shellacking ensued and then the Timberwolves paid another visit to Eagle to open this season and suffered another loss.

That backdrop is why Lake City was so giddy after delivering a punishing 24-10 victory over the Mustangs in Friday's first round of the state 5A playoffs at Thunder Stadium. This time it were the Timberwolves (6-3-1) playing the role of the bully while physically dominating the contest to advance to next week's semifinals against top-ranked Madison (10-0) of Rexburg.

"We've been training hard for this team," said senior defensive lineman Baley Anderson, who recorded one of Lake City's four interceptions. "We wanted this game more than anything. We lost to them last year in the playoffs and we just wanted to kick their butt."

Junior Gavan Rosteck rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries and Lake City rolled up 297 rushing yards while winning a road playoff game for only the second time in school history - the other being a 2007 win at Lewiston.

Senior safety Wyatt Nelson had two interceptions and junior linebacker Caden Robertson also picked off a pass as the defense held Eagle's offense to three points and 12 first downs.

Troxel unleashed a big smile when he was reminded that last year's 58-7 playoff loss and this year's 35-28 defeat occurred on the same field in which his players were wildly celebrating.

"The opener gave these guys a lot of confidence because we felt we played right with them and actually had a chance to win the opener," Troxel said.

"A year ago, we came down scared. They weren't scared and we really worked hard on getting them to buy in, that they all have to play hard and play together and do whatever it takes to win."

Eagle (8-3) had a 7-6 lead early in the second quarter after Austin Diffey fielded a short punt at his own 30-yard line and dashed down the right sideline. He cut inward to sidestep a tackle attempt by punter Bruce Shipley at the Lake City 35 and cruised the rest of the way for the 70-yard touchdown return.

But a key turning point happened late in the half with the Mustangs driving. Eagle quarterback J.T. Williams was attempting to set up a screen, but Anderson sniffed it out.

Williams threw the ball directly to Anderson, who returned it 25 yards to the Eagle 30. The pick set up a 31-yard field goal by Andrew Hocking 9.8 seconds before intermission to give the Timberwolves a 9-7 lead.

"It was definitely a turning point in the game," Anderson said. "It really got our motivation going too. Everyone was just pumped up. Same with the other three picks."

Troxel cited the momentum and excitement the sequence provided as a key development. But equally as big was how the Timberwolves controlled the flow of play in the second half.

Lake City's offensive line was superb as the Timberwolves drove 91 yards on 12 plays - all on the ground - with Rosteck scoring on a 4-yard run 15 seconds into the final quarter to give Lake City a 16-7 advantage.

After Eagle's Layne Leisten booted a 41-yard field goal with 9:55 remaining to make it a six-point game, Lake City moved 78 yards on seven plays and took a two-touchdown lead on Jerry Louie-McGee's 6-yard run and ensuing two-point conversion reception with 6:23 left.

"It was all flowing and our offensive line did amazing," the 5-foot-10, 251-pound Rosteck said. "We couldn't have asked for better blocks and I just ran the ball.

"You've just got to find their weakness and push at it. I was just going for it. I don't want to say I was going for the smallest kid but you've got to do what you've got to do when you run the ball."

Eagle coach Paul Peterson said his squad "didn't have any answers" for dealing with Lake City's offensive line. He downplayed the revenge factor and tipped his hat to the Timberwolves.

"I don't necessarily think it was extra motivation, they just executed better tonight," Peterson said. "Their coaching staff did a great job preparing them and they were more physical and superior coached tonight."

Because of that, the Timberwolves are moving on and Troxel feels his squad has as good a chance as any of the four remaining teams when it comes to capturing the state title.

"We felt going into this that the eight teams in the playoffs, it was anybody's game," Troxel said. "Who wants it the most and who gains the most momentum ...

"This is our 16th year in the row in the playoffs and I understand it real well. You get a little momentum and you've got a chance. The way we feel, we've got a chance going into Madison."

Lake City 6 3 0 15 - 24

Eagle 0 7 0 3 - 10

First Quarter

LC - Gavan Rosteck 9 run (kick failed)

Second Quarter

Eag - Austin Diffey 70 punt return (Leisten kick)

LC - FG Andrew Hocking 31

Fourth Quarter

LC - Rosteck 4 run (Hocking kick)

Eag - FG Leisten 41

LC - Jerry Louie-McGee 6 run (Louie-McGee pass from Bruce Shipley)

LC Eag

First Downs 20 12

Rushes-Yards 62-297 23-129

Passing Yards 86 137

Comp-Att-Int 6-13-0 13-30-4

Fumbles-Lost 3-1 1-0

Penalties 6-30 4-30

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING - LC, Rosteck 14-141, Br. Johnson 22-88, J. Louie-McGee 13-31, Damschen 4-19, Shipley 9-18. Eag - Diffey 8-92, Lane 3-11, Williams 3-9, Ray 3-7, Labrador 2-6, Erickson 3-3, Muli 1-1.

PASSING - LC, Shipley 6-13-0-86. Eag, Williams 13-30-4-137.

RECEIVING - LC, J. Louie-McGee 4-64, Hocking 2-22. Eag, Lenhardt 6-60, Diffey 3-37, Jones 2-24, Lane 2-16.