Strong 2nd half leads Lakeview

By RYAN JONES

Vindicator correspondent

AKRON — A few adjustments on defense and the right arm of its sophomore quarterback erased a 7-0 halftime deficit and propelled Lakeview to a 24-13 victory over Akron Manchester in a Division IV, Region 13 quarterfinal contest.

The Bulldogs limited the Panthers to 61 second-half rushing yards and Anthony Franco tossed touchdowns of 15 an 48 yards at James R. France Stadium.

Coach Tom Pavlansky said defensive adjustments didn’t tell the entire story of the second half.

“We made a couple of adjustments, but our kids just kept on playing,” he said. “I thought we were nervous to start the game and we missed some tackles as a result. We played hard, though — to be down only seven points in this hostile environment was a credit to our guys.”

With 3:59 left in the third quarter, Lakeview went on a seven-play, 73-yard touchdown drive to even the score, 7-7.

Franco, who went 10-for-20 for 151 yards, capped off the drive with a 15-yard TD pass to Louie Novakovich.

“Anthony [Franco] is special,” Pavlansky said. “There’s not much else I can say. I thank God that he’s a Lakeview Bulldog.

“No one on our team cares more than him. As good of a player as he is, he’s even a better person.”

On the ensuing kickoff the Bulldogs converted an onside kick and even though the drive stalled the momentum shifted to Lakeview.

After the Bulldog defense forced a three-and-out, Lakeview took a 14-7 lead on their next possession when Te Elias scored on a 17-yard TD run.

Manchester’s Craig Dougherty fumbled on the Panther’s next possession, which was recovered by Alex Rantilla at the 48-yard line.

“I was getting blocked and trying to shed it when I saw the ball on the ground,” Rantilla said. “I fell on it and didn’t let it go. Our defense was flat in the first half. We knew we had to amp it up if we were going to win.”

On the next play, Franco hooked up with Michael Prindle on a 48-yard touchdown aerial to give Lakeview a 21-7 lead with 8:07 left in the game.

Franco said the same play to Prindle was called earlier in the game.

“Michael was wide open and I overthrew him,” Franco said. “This time I executed the two fakes, trusted my line was going to give me time and lofted the ball down the middle.”

The Bulldogs forced quarterback Steve King into an interception on Manchester’s next possession.

“I thought we moved the ball well in the first half, but we didn’t get enough points out of it,” said Manchester coach Jim France. “Their D played a heck of a lot better in the second half and their offense chewed up the clock.

“We didn’t make the plays you have to make to advance.”

Elias led Lakeview with 98 yards on 16 carries and Novakovich caught four passes for 64 yards.

Dougherty led Manchester with 78 yards on the ground, and teammate Brit Hunter added 61 rushing yards.