Te Elias scores 3 TDs; Lakeview rallies to defeat Newton Falls

By John Bassetti

CORTLAND — During the Lakeview-Newton Falls halftime show, a Lakeview High band member made a fellow student “disappear” as part of the magic theme of the performance.

For 31‚Ñ2 quarters, Newton Falls had the upper hand on Lakeview until the Bulldogs made their scoreboard deficit vanish.

An 80-yard drive that took 41‚Ñ2 minutes concluded with Te Elias’ 2-yard touchdown run as Lakeview prevailed, 27-21, on Friday night.

Elias scored three of his team’s four touchdowns and finished with 146 yards on 25 carries for the Bulldogs (4-2). Quarterback Anthony Franco completed seven of 16 passes for 119, including a 47-yard TD pass play that accounted for Lakeview’s fourth tally.

Newton Falls (4-2) shot out to a 7-0 lead on a 4-yard TD run by John Davis and went ahead, 14-6, on Matt Brazin’s short TD pass to Cody Dillon. Brazin’s 21-yard TD pass to Eric Kline pushed the Tigers up, 21-12, with 8:05 left in the third quarter.

But that would be the end of the scoring for the visitors, who last beat Lakeview during back-to-back season in 2002 and 2003.

“At halftime, we made a few adjustments and knew we had to come out a lot harder,” said Elias, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound senior running back. “We came out with intensity and pulled through.”

Asked how the Bulldogs accomplished their game-winning 80-yard drive, Elias said: “As a team. The line was blocking, the quarterback was doing his job and the receivers were doing theirs and everyone was doing his job. That’s all you can ask for.”

The drive followed a missed field goal attempt by Joe Spletzer from 39 yards out with 8:25 remaining.

Newton Falls had reached Lakeview’s 23 yard line, but then faced 4th-and-10. Two plays previously, Kevin Tomsich held Eric Kline to a 1-yard gain.

Tomsich, along with were singled out for their defensive play by coach Tom Pavlansky.

“They all played well tonight,” he said of the down linemen. “Nick Szwedko and Kevin Hazel have had unbelievable years so far and Kevin [Tomsich] played really tough.”

Pavlansky was asked to pinpoint the halftime adjustments, especially since Newton Falls had success penetrating into Lakeview’s backfield in the first half.

But the adjustment may have been more intangible than tangible.

“More than anything, it was just a gut-check time,” Pavlansky said. “Our seniors had a nice little talk with their team, so I give credit to the seniors. They did most all the talking at halftime.”

However, the Bulldogs didn’t fare very well at the outset of the second half.

During the third play of Lakeview’s first series, Matt Beaman, in the shotgun while subbing for Franco, watched as the ball slipped from the center’s hands.

Newton Falls’ Justin Currey recovered at Lakeview’s 47. With the help of a 17-yard pass from Brazin to Eric Kline and Kline’s 21-yard TD reception, the Tigers went up by nine.

Lakeview pulled within two following a 53-yard drive that followed a third-down quick kick by Cody Pelyak. At the time, Newton Falls was backed up to its 9.

In Lakeview’s final drive, Louie Novakovich picked up a first down after a 22-yard reception, followed by a 12-yard gain by Elias. A personal foul penalty gave the Bulldogs a first down and helped keep the drive alive.

Newton Falls had four infractions for 33 yards in the second half.

Of his team’s final drive, Pavlansky said: “When we had chances to make plays, we made plays, especially in the fourth quarter. Receiver-wise, kids caught the ball, like Louie and Matt [Beaman] and Anthony Franco put the ball on the money. Plus, it’s great to have Te [Elias] back there as well.”

Pavlansky said that the Tigers are going to be a force to be reckoned with.

“This wasn’t easy. Coach [Greg] Lazzari really has it going over there. Our kids had some tough breaks go against them early but they hung tough.”

bassetti@vindy.com