Turnovers were a factor in the Bulldogs’ win in Ravenna.

By JOHN BASSETTI

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

RAVENNA — A team out-gains another, 193-124, yet loses. How?

Good and gutsy offensive execution by the team with fewer yards, along with an opportunistic defense will do the trick.

Throw in a pair of penalties against the losing team and the outcome speaks for itself.

All the components worked in Lakeview’s favor in a 14-10 Division III victory over Walsh Jesuit in a Region 9 semifinal.

The win put the Tom Pavlansky-coached Bulldogs (10-2) in the regional championship for the first time since 1995.

Although quarterback Justin Clark had the offense biting into the Warriors all night, an interception by Vinnie Elias and a fumble recovery by Michael Braunegg were big first-half contributions.

Elias’ pickoff of Kyle Snyder’s pass set up John Biehl’s 21-yard touchdown run and Matt Metzger’s extra-point that put Lakeview on top at halftime, 7-0.

With Walsh (9-2) threatening as the half was coming to a close, senior inside linebacker Michael Braunegg pounced on Cameron Ontko’s fumble at Lakeview’s 8-yard line.

Braunegg talked about Kyle Smedi’s hit that jarred the ball from Ontko.

“He’s always making big hits and that’s the biggest I’ve seen him make all year,” said the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Braunegg. “I was just lucky enough to be there to dive on it.”

Lakeview also benefited from several knocked-down passes, especially in the first half.

“We said we were going to come out and play like a bunch of brothers,” Braunegg said. “We knew they had 91 guys. We knew they were going to be bigger, so we just wanted to play our assignments and play our game. They can have 91 guys, but we got 40-some brothers. That was the recurring theme we had going all night.”

Of his hit on Ontko, Linebacker Kyle Smedi said: “I was just making my reads, seeing my hole. Once I saw it, I just went right for it.

“The whole week our thinking was that no one wants us to win,” the linebacker said. “No one thought we we’re going to win because they were too big for us. Well, that’s how it’s been all season.”

Ontko’s 26-yard run in the third quarter tied the game and Abrim Mueller’s 32-yard field goal put the Warriors ahead for the first time, 10-7, with 9:38 remaining.

That’s when the Bulldogs initiated an 80-yard drive with sophomore Te Elias filling in for 6-2, 170 Ben Moody, who was injured early in the fourth quarter.

“He banged his shin up a little, so I was called upon to play,” said the 5-8, 160 running back who didn’t see any action in the game except on special teams.

Before scoring his sixth TD of the season, Elias picked up big yardage during the go-ahead march.

On the 7-yard tally, Elias went through the right side of the line, then spun around and went in untouched at 2:43.

Pavlansky acknowledged Te Elias’ rise to the occasion.

“Ben got dinged up a little, but we have no qualms about putting Te in the game. He exemplifies of all our kids and that’s what’s earned them the right to be among the final eight [teams] in the state.”

Defensively, co-captains Biehl, Kyle Smedi, Braunegg and Steve Lane were steady confidence boosters.

A defensive interference penalty helped keep Biehl’s TD drive alive and a roughing-the-kicker call gave the Bulldogs new life when Jarred Clark quick-punted on third down from his end zone late in the third quarter.

Lakeview’s last regional final appearance was in 1995 when the Paul Kopko-coached Bulldogs lost to Poland in the snow, 7-6.

Lakeview beat Marlington in the previous game when only four teams per region qualified.

bassetti@vindy.com