By ERIC FORTUNE

sports@vindy.com

CORTLAND

Last year was last year and last week was last week.

After being on opposite ends of the spectrum in Week 1, it was an opportunity to begin anew for the Lakeview Bulldogs as they took on the Struthers Wildcats, a team that beat them twice last year.

The Bulldogs overcame interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter, to squeak by Struthers, 14-7.

But to Lakeview coach Tom Pavlansky, those games had no bearing on what he was hoping to see his team accomplish Friday night.

“It had nothing to do with it,” Pavlansky said. “We wanted to win our home opener for the seniors to set the tone here for the rest of the season. It had nothing to do with last year.”

After an opening half where both teams were mirror opposites with 75 and 77 yards rushing respectfully, the game came down who made the fewest amount of mistakes.

“That’s their defense,” Struthers coach Curt Kuntz said. “They play it extremely sound and their OK with giving a couple of yards, a couple of yards.

“You go on a 15-play drive and they count on you making a mistake. They’ll take advantage of it. They gave a little bit by bending, but they didn’t break.”

The first half came down to the simple fact that neither team could finish off a drive despite Lakeview (1-1) running 10 plays in Struthers territory and the Wildcats (1-1) running 19 plays in Bulldogs’ territory.

“They are a good football team,” Pavlansky said. “It was a good slugfest here in the first half. It was back-and-forth, but our kids kept battling and kept playing like crazy. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

After both teams punted on their opening possessions of the second half, Anthony Farkas intercepted Nick Boldt’s pass to Tim Delpiero on the Lakeview sideline and returned it 25 yards to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead with three minutes to play in the third quarter.

After forcing a Lakeview punt from midfield, it was the Wildcats’ turn to make a costly mistake as Tom Bell recovered Brett Nemeth’s fumble at the Struthers 14.

Three plays later, Michael Mannella ran for a 7-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7.

After a Struthers punt, the Bulldogs took over at their own 48 with 9:13 left in regulation. It took 14 plays and two big penalties that nearly derailed the drive before Lakeview scored the game-winning touchdown.

Mannella caught a 25-yard screen pass to set up a big first down. Then he scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 1-yard run.

“It’s a team game,” Kuntz said. “One guy gets out of position and they executed a great play.