Red Lion Edges Lake Forest In Overtime Win

Lake Forest’s Josiah Torres brings down Red Lion’s Mehki Corbin near the goal line. Photo by Dar’Jaun Pitts

Felton- Forty-eight minutes wasn’t enough time Friday night to decide the outcome between Red Lion Christian Academy and Lake Forest in their Class AA matchup. Raheem Spencer went around left for a five yard touchdown run on fourth and goal in overtime. Teigan Norris converted the kick giving the Lions a 27-20 lead.

Lake Forest answered on their overtime possession when Jack Parson hit Seth Young on a seven yard pass play on fourth down as well. The Spartans were called for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play forcing a conversion attempt from the 18 yard line. Parson scramble reached the four yard line by Chris Trumbull giving Red Lion a 27-26 victory.

“This was just so exciting, that’s why we love this game so much, all the hard work that you put in and to see it pay off I’m just so happy for the boys,” Red Lion head coach Ken Anderson said.

Red Lion drove to the Lake Forest goal line before the Spartans forced a fumble. After a scoreless first quarter Lake Forest Parson connected with Darius Miller for a 49 yard touchdown pass on the second play of the second quarter. Nolan Ellwanger converted the kick as Lake Forest led 7-0.

Red Lion answered with a 61 yard screen pass from Evan Budinger to Mehki Corbin for a touchdown. The snap was bobbled on the kick attempt and Lake Forest held a 7-6 lead with 9:38 to play in the first half.

Corbin carried the ball 15 times for 82 yards and had one reception for a touchdown.

The Spartans extended their lead when Parson scored on a one yard quarterback sneak on the ensuing possession. Ellwanger converted the kick and Lake Forest took a 14-6 lead into halftime.

Following a scoreless third quarter Red Lion scored just two minutes into the fourth quarter when Judah Barber broke loose on a 19 yard touchdown run. Corbin added the conversion run as Red Lion tied the game at 14-14.

Red Lion struck again on a Jesiah Murphy 49 yard touchdown run, the run attempt failed as the Lions took their first lead of the game 20-14 with 2:09 to play in regulation.

Parson then engineered a 10 play 64 yard scoring drive for Lake Forest twice facing fourth down, capping it off with a 24 yard touchdown pass to Ne’Von Pierce with 16 seconds left to play. The extra point kick failed when the snap was bobbled leaving the game tied 20-20.

Parson completed 7 of 20 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns.

Red Lion switched from a pass heavy first half to consistently running the ball in the second scoring three times including the overtime touchdown.

“One of the things we noticed is their defense just swarmed to the ball and they were shooting our A gap and B game, they are super athletic and fast. We thought we could move the ball better with our running attack and be competitive in the game,” Anderson said.

Lake Forest fell to 2-1 on the season and will head to Class AAA Cape Henlopen next Friday for a 7:00 PM kickoff with the Vikings.

Red Lion improves to 2-1 on the season and will travel to St. Mark’s for a 7:00 PM kickoff next Friday.