Lyons – Football’s front lines, so infrequently noticed and rarely given credit, challenged that general thinking Friday night.
Akron’s up-front personnel was dominant in a thorough thrashing of host Lyons, a 20-7 victory in The Denver Post game of the week that further underlined the Rams’ high ranking and extended their undefeated run in 2006.
The Rams, ranked No. 2 in The Denver Post/9News Class 1A poll, improved to 7-0 overall, 5-0 in the North Central League. No. 3 Lyons dipped to 6-1, 4-1, and had no answers or counters against Akron lines that won the line of scrimmage from the game’s first play and held it to the end.
Playing at Lyons’ John “Jet” Johnson Field, the Rams used two touchdowns and three interceptions by senior Steven Hall as the game’s key plays.
However, Rams linemen such as Trent Campbell, Frank Christensen, Ethan Florian, Bruce Hall and Mick Strand powered the way to superior rushing and ball control in the unique single-wing attack and defended well enough to limit Lyons to two first downs into the final minutes of the third quarter.
“We were very solid up front,” Akron coach Brian Christensen said after upping his career record to 106-22. “You know, they never get enough credit when things are good. You have to credit them. And (on defense) those seven, eight guys and the linebackers all had a very good game.”
Hall capped Akron’s first drive with a 6-yard touchdown run and his 8-yarder midway through the second quarter made it 12-0. As for his interceptions, he knew where it began.
“They were awesome up front on offense and defense, and just did a heck of a job all game,” Hall said. “Today, they just punished them all game.”
Lyons had 11 yards of offense at halftime and its lone first down came when the Lions went for it on fourth-and-1 late in the first quarter. They took four possessions for another.
“They were very physical,” Lions coach John Nichols said of the Rams. “Offensive line has been a concern. We were able to get by with it against Wray last week. They really exposed it. And they were very impressive against the run.”
Dominic Hottinger’s 4-yard touchdown run and conversion run made it 20-0 with 9:52 to play and put it out of Lyons’ reach.
The Lions averted the shutout when quarterback Sam Stall, who was intercepted on three straight attempts and had four for the game, connected with Eric Kelly on a 55-yarder with 2:39 left in the game.
Akron 6 6 0 8 – 20
Lyons 0 0 0 7 – 7
A – Hall 6 run (run failed). A – Hall 8 run (kick failed). A – Hottinger 4 (Hottinger run). L – Kelly 55 pass from Stall (Anderson kick).
