Among a cloud of immense fog in Spirit Lake, Idaho, the Lakeland Hawks dominated the Timberlake Tigers, 55-8, improving to 6-1, while the Tigers fell to 3-2. 

The temperature steadily decreased throughout the game, dropping into the low 40s by halftime. Many believed that the low temperatures would lead to a low-scoring game, given that each team entered the game having only allowed an average of fourteen points per game. 

However, it was evident by the second quarter that the Hawks’ offense would maintain its stellar offensive pace, going into halftime with a 28-0 lead. Thomas Calder played a fantastic game, rushing for 116 yards and defending the Timberlake wideouts well defensively. 

The production that John Cornish brings to the table was not needed for the Hawks in their coming-out game against the Tigers, as Cornish rushed for only 75 yards and a touchdown. However, on his final carry of the game, Cornish broke the 1,000-yard mark on the season in just the Hawk’s seventh game. Averaging 143 yards per game, Cornish is on pace to rush for nearly 1,300 yards this season. 

In this game, the Hawk’s passing game came into its own for the first time this season, as Caysen Loutzenhiser uncorked a 68-yard touchdown pass through the air for Ezra Benson. This beauty of a play was Benson’s second of three long touchdowns in the game. His other two touchdowns were a 35-yard screen pass and a 17-yard jet sweep. 

“It was nice to pass the ball a little bit, considering most of our success comes on the ground. I have room to improve. That game is in the past, and I am already on to the next one. Sandpoint is a critical game for us,” said Benson. 

Senior Gabe Means played an excellent game, including a blocked punt returned for a 25-yard special teams touchdown. This was Means’ first touchdown of the season. He also delivered a powerful blow defensively, getting himself ejected from the game for targeting. 

When referring to Means’ hit, fellow cornerback Jameson Elliott said, “I saw something in him that I have never seen before. That hit was the most spectacular thing I’ve ever witnessed. Gabe is a greek god. That game was so fun.”

The Hawks dominated the game on both sides of the ball and are on a roll going into their first league matchup. Mike Schroeder’s offense averages over 30 points per game through the first seven games. Though, at times the passing game has struggled, the ground-and-pound offense has catapulted the Hawks into the top five in the official Idaho football rankings. 

The Hawk’s next game is one of the highest anticipated regular season games to date for Lakeland. They face off with the Sandpoint Bulldogs in the 4A game of the year. This game features a top-five team in the state, Lakeland, and the 4A powerhouse, Sandpoint. 

While the Bulldogs may have a losing record, they are always a formidable opponent, and two of their losses were won by just two points. Sandpoint is coming off of a 51-13 win against the Lake City Timberwolves and is going to do everything in their power to spoil the Hawk’s chance at a guaranteed home playoff game. 

The winner of this Oct. 7 game will win the 4A IEL league and be one of the top-seeded playoff teams. The game starts at 7 p.m. from Rathdrum, Idaho, at Corbit Field and will be broadcasted on Youtube on the “Hello Hawks” channel.