Lisle falls to Seneca

Points came at a premium and turnovers were costly Friday night as Lisle fell at home to Seneca 14-7.

Under the bright lights of the Benedictine University football field, the Lions took the first drive of the game inside Seneca's 10-yard line. However, they were stopped there and after a missed field goal the tone was set for the night. Combined with 2 lost fumbles, Lisle's offense struggled to find a grove.

"We couldn't generate any rhythm on offense. I don't know what it was," Lisle coach Paul Parpet Sr. said. "They controlled the ball on us and ate the clock."

The scoring started with less than a minute left in the opening quarter when Seneca's Alex Thornley received a pitch and ran 19 yards to the end zone. Lisle answered after recovering a Thornley fumble inside the Seneca 5-yard line on a play on which he appeared to injure his shoulder. The Lions plowed in for a touchdown on the following play as Grant Haen tied the game.

The deciding score came on the first drive of the second half. Seneca once again relied on big plays to drive down the field, eventually scoring on a 37-yard Bryce Croyle run.

Despite what Parpet said was an improvement on defense, the Irish had all the points they needed to hang on for the win. It wasn't just the fumbles lost that Parpet said hurt the team. The exchange between center and quarterback was an issue throughout the game.

As the clock ticked down late in the fourth quarter, time mismanagment gave the Lions one last opportunity to tie the game with two seconds remaining. The desperation pass and subsequent pitches fell short, however, as the game came to an end.

"They've got to decide where they want to go with this season," Parpet said. "They've got to hold themselves responsible and come out and play the ballgame."

Parpet said the loss would not linger and the team would be back on schedule Saturday. The Lions are on the road next week against Reed-Custer as they look to get back in the win column.