The Bulldogs won their first TAC title since 1996.

By DOUG CHAPIN

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

CORTLAND — Lakeview High football coach Tom Pavlansky says his players “come to practice each day.” After Friday’s 48-7 drubbing of LaBrae, the Bulldogs have earned another week of practice, clinching a playoff berth and an outright Trumbull Athletic Conference championship.

“Our kids have come to practice each day. That’s the best way I know to describe what our kids are about, they come to practice each day,” Pavlansky said. “It started in winter conditioning, it started back in December. We haven’t had to chase any of the kids down, they’ve been there every day, and they put forth the greatest effort possible. It’s been a heck of a journey and we’re excited about continuing on the journey.”

Lakeview (8-2, 7-0 TAC) scored on its first three possessions, needing just 11 plays, and built a 21-0 lead with 4:20 remaining in the first quarter. The swarming Bulldog defense held LaBrae (4-6, 2-5 TAC) to just three first downs as Lakeview won its first TAC title since 1996.

“Tonight was mostly about the seniors,” Pavlansky said. “We wanted to make sure the seniors were able to walk off the field after their last regular season game as winners. That’s what they deserve.”

Ben Moody, who came into the game with 1,119 yards, busted off a 40-yard gain on the Bulldogs’ first play. That set up a Vinnie Elias touchdown run. Moody finished with 74 yards on nine carries.

After Steve Prindle recovered a LaBrae fumble on the ensuing kickoff, quarterback Justin Clark completed a 21-yard scoring pass on fourth down to Jon Biehl.

The Bulldogs’ third touchdown came on a three-play, 55-yard drive. Clark connected with Jarred Clark for 33 yards, then Justin Wazelle ran for 12 yards and 10 yards on successive carries.

LaBrae’s Cameron Truss also was a 1,000-yard rusher (1,385) coming into the game, but was held to minus-7 yards rushing by the Bulldog defense, keyed by Kyle Smedi. The senior linebacker recovered a Viking fumble in the end zone for Lakeview’s fourth score of the night.

The Clark-to-Biehl combination hooked up for another touchdown just before halftime, then Lakeview got touchdown runs of 44 yards from Te Elias and 10 yards from Eric George in the second half. LaBrae’s Brian Watkins scored the Vikings’ lone touchdown.

Lakeview stood fifth in the Division III, Region 9 standings prior to this week. Depending on other results, it is possible the Bulldogs could play host to a first-round playoff game. Whether home or away next week, it’s certain Pavlansky’s team will be practicing hard.

“We’ve got to get better [next week in practice]. We know whoever we play next week is going to be pretty good,” Pavlansky said. “We’ve got to continue to work hard and do things right and give ourselves every opportunity to win a ball game.”