Froid/Lake Takes Over First Place With Win Over Fusion

In a high-scoring football battle, the Froid/Lake defense created big plays in the second half to edge Richey/ Lambert, 63-38, during homecoming action in Medicine Lake on Friday, Sept. 22.

The Red Hawks held only a 34-26 half-time advantage and a 40-32 lead midway into the third quarter until Mason Dethman intercepted a pass and went 42 yards for a touchdown. Dethman passed to Nate Stentoft for the conversion and a 47-32 lead.

The undefeated Red Hawks led by at least nine points as the team’s defense held the Fusion to one touchdown the rest of the game.

“Richey/Lambert came out and punched us in the mouth. We weren’t necessarily ready for it,” Froid/Lake Coach Michael Reiter said after the victory. “They had an awesome game plan.”

Dethman added, “They had us in the first half, I’m not going to lie.”

The senior’s two interceptions in the second half helped swing the game in Froid/Lake’s favor.

“I just read the quarterback’s eyes and went to the ball,” Dethman said.

Reiter said the squad’s offensive linemen including Stentoft, Cian Logan, Dethman and Jacob Martensen had a very strong second half to open up the running attack.

After Dethman’s interception return for a touchdown, the Fusion reached the end zone on a 17-yard run by Sage Spinner to cut the margin to 47-38 with 1:05 remaining in the third quarter.

Daniel Forizs returned the ensuing kickoff to inside Fusion territory. With first down at the 10, Forizs displayed a nice spin move on his way to the end zone. Dethman’s kick increased the lead to 55-38 with 9:46 left.

Richey/Lambert’s next possession ended when Dethman intercepted a pass at the Fusion 28. A 26-yard dash by Forizs resulted in a touchdown at the 6:58 mark. Dethman’s kick increased the gap to 63-38.

The Fusion’s next drive was stopped on tackles by Stentoft and Dethman with less than three minutes remaining.

The conference contest started with each team experiencing fumbles in the first minute. Froid/Lake’s Logan recovered a fumble on the Fusion 10. On the next play, Forizs scored the game’s opening touchdown.

Richey/Lambert responded with a 65-yard scoring drive featuring passes from Spinner to Quaid Marshall and Austin Lien. Richey/ Lambert’s Lien scored from the one to pull the Fusion to 8-6.

The Red Hawks struck back on a 32-yard pass from Joseph Robertson to Dethman with 4:27 left in the opening quarter.

After an interception by Landen Kelm, the Fusion increased their lead to 22-6 on a five-yard run by Forizs with 2:40 left in the first period.

Richey/Lambert ended the quarter on a high note when Spinner scored on a 23-yard dash. William Martin kicked the conversion to cut the gap to 22-14.

The Red Hawks then drove down the field on short passes from Dethman to Robertson and Forizs.

Froid/Lake reached the end zone on a two-yard run by Stentoft with 6:18 left in the half.

After the Fusion scored on a two-yard run by Spinner, the hard running of Kelm put the Red Hawks near the end zone. A quick pass from Robertson to Dethman at the one increased the margin to 34-20 with 4:08 left in the half.

The Fusion accounted for the final touchdown of the half when Spinner connected with Corbin Mullin on a 15-yard touchdown pass for a 34-26 half-time score.

The Fusion pulled to 34-32 on a two-yard run by Beau Mullin early in the third quarter.

After a nice kickoff return by Forizs, the Red Hawks hit paydirt on a five-yard run by Stentoft to move ahead 4032 with 6:47 left in the third quarter.

The Red Hawks will host Brockton on Saturday, Sept. 30.