Eagles stay in hunt for KLAA North title by downing Mott

Huron Valley Lakeland matched its win total of four from last season by knocking out Waterford Mott, 41-20, on the road on Friday, Sept. 21.

The Eagles are now 4-1 overall and 2-1 in Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division play with two division games remaining. Last season, Lakeland finished with a 4-5 record.

“I thought we buckled down and executed better. Mott’s getting better every week, so I’m pleased with the result,” said Lakeland Head Coach John Maltese. “We knew Mott had some good skill sets and their quarterback is very poised.”

Dalton Christie helped give Lakeland a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 31-yard touchdown run. Anthony Waite then scored on a 3-yard touchdown run before he left the game with an ankle injury.

Mott finally responded, as Dakota Kupp threw a 56-yard touchdown to Justice Bolling to get on the scoreboard and trail 14-6 after a blocked extra point kick attempt. Bolling would strike again for the Corsairs, this time on a 40-yard touchdown run to pull Mott within one point.

But, Christie scored his second touchdown on a 13-yard run to help give the Eagles a 21-13 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, Christie struck again for the quarter’s only touchdown on a 33-yard run.

The Corsairs scored in the fourth quarter on a 3-yard touchdown run by Kupp to cut Lakeland’s lead to 28-20 and had a chance to tie the game. But, Collin Papler would intercept Kupp and return the ball 21-yards for a touchdown.

Christie would cap his outstanding night with his fourth touchdown run, from 19-yards out, and finished with 149 yards rushing on 20 carries, as Lakeland stretched Mott’s losing streak to four.

Nolan Johnson filled in admirably for Waite as he finished with 77 yards on 10 carries. On defense, William Schroeder had 6 total tackles while Justin Bafus had 4 tackles and one forced fumble and Beau Whilhelm had 3 interceptions.

Kupp completed 15-of-31 passes for 235 yards, a touchdown and 4 interceptions in addition to his rushing touchdown. Bolling had 9 receptions for 204 yards and 2 touchdowns along with 9 tackles and an interception.

Brennan Schneider also contributed 14 total tackles for the Corsairs.

The Eagles still have an outside shot at the KLAA North Division title as they will face the top two teams in the division in the next two weeks to wrap up their division schedule.

Lakeland will first travel to Walled Lake Central on Friday, Sept. 21 before hosting its rival and the current occupant of first-place in the division, Walled Lake Northern, on Friday, Oct. 5.

“Both are well-coached teams that run an option, and you have to be accountable and responsible,” Maltese said.

The Corsairs will travel to Walled Lake Western on Friday, Sept. 21 in their final tune-up before their annual rivalry game with Waterford Kettering at home on Oct. 6.