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PREP FOOTBALL: Offensive woes cost Lakeland in opener

| August 21, 2021 1:10 AM

BUTTE, Mont. — As for opening games, there was a lot to like on the defensive side of the ball according to Lakeland coach Tim Kiefer.

Offensively, it’s a work in progress.

Lakeland won the turnover battle 4-1, but fell short on the scoreboard, losing 7-6 to the Preston Indians in the season opener for both programs at Montana Tech University's Bob Green Field on Friday.

“The kids created turnovers like we wanted to do and did a lot of things well on defense,” Kiefer said. “But offensively, we just couldn’t hang onto the ball and were snapping the ball through the quarterback’s hands, which was frustrating.”

Thomas Calder caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Devon Suko late in the second quarter to open the scoring for Lakeland, which finished 1 for 11 on third-down conversions. Lakeland forced four turnovers, intercepting Preston quarterback Brecker Knapp three times. John Cornish and Lucas Williams also has interceptions for the Hawks.

Calder intercepted a pass on the 17-yard line to halt a second quarter drive for Lakeland.

“He’s going to have to be a guy for us this season,” Kiefer said. “We’re really going to have to lean on him, as well as some other guys. But the more he touches the ball, we’re going to be in good shape. He’s a gifted athlete and just a good kid.”

Tyler Lindhardt caught a 47-yard touchdown pass from Knapp early in the third quarter to give Preston the lead for good.

“There were some bright spots for sure,” Kiefer said. “Most of them were defensively, but that could flip next week.”

Lakeland hosts Lake City next Friday at 7 p.m.

Preston 0 0 7 0 — 7

Lakeland 0 6 0 0 — 6

Second quarter

LL — Thomas Calder 23 pass from Devon Suko (kick blocked)

Third quarter

Pres — Lindhardt 47 pass from Brecker Knapp (kick good)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — LL, Moore 2-29, Suko 11-22, Cornish 10-22, Calder 5-20, Burcham 1-3. Preston stats not available.

PASSING — LL, Suko, 12-20-1-123. Preston stats not available.

RECEIVING — LL, Calder 3-78, Thomas 4-33, Huber 2-12, Waddington 1-5, Williams 1-5, Moore 1-(-7). Preston stats not available.