Turnovers costly for Lancers in 21-0 loss to Starpoint

by Larry Austin
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, October 1, 2005

A Lewiston Porter turnover preceded all three touchdowns by Starpoint last week in the Lancers’ 21-0 loss at Harry Blakeslee Field.

The Lancers turned the ball over on their first two possessions of the game, leading directly to Starpoint’s first two scores. The Spartans closed out the half with a clinching score, and the two teams played a scoreless second half.

“When you give them two fumbles and two interceptions you’re already at a disadvantage. But that’s something we can work on,” said Lew-Port coach Brian Gunby.

“That second half was our best half of the year. That’s a great way to end that game,” Gunby said. “We’re down 21-nothing at the half and these guys could have easily folded, but they didn’t. That shows we’ve got some character on this team and they’re not going to give up.”

Tom Mueller, a senior tailback, rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns for the Spartans.

After Jacob Brant recovered a fumbled center exchange by Lew-Port at the Lancers’ 35-yard line, Mueller scored on a 21-yard run with 7:05 left in the first quarter. Mike Ridge added the point-after. Star-point quarterback Shane Canahai sustained the drive by converting fourth-and-5 with a 9-yard run.

On the Lancers’ next possession, Starpoint’s Brian Clapsadle jumped a short pass route and intercepted a pass by Lew-Port quarterback Brad Maines, returning it 42 yards for the Spartans’ second touchdown and a 13-0 lead.

Mueller later intercepted Maines with 1:05 left in the half, giving the Spartans the ball at midfield. After Louis Eisenhauer hauled in a Canahai pass for 27 yards at the Lancers’ 4-yard line, Mueller followed with his second scoring run of the half from 1-yard out. Canahai added a 2-point conversion run for a 21-0 lead.

Lew-Port’s defense played to a stalemate with Starpoint the rest of the game, but the offense could not get anything going, though tailback Andy Nowocien rushed for 118 yards on 22 carries. Lew-Port has scored just once in four games this year.

“Our defense has played solid pretty much all year,” Gunby said. “You can’t win ball games with just your defense, though. Some time you’ve got to put the ball in the end zone.”
Lew-Port’s overall record stands now at 0-4.