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Win over Wauconda gives Lakes a happy Homecoming

Playing a homecoming Saturday football game isn't the norm these days but after Friday night storms forced Lakes' Northern Lake County Conference game with Wauconda to be suspended, the Eagles had to change their mindset from a typical Friday night.

The change didn't effect the outcome as the Eagles posted their fourth straight win and third straight in the NLCC with a 33-7 victory over visiting Wauconda Saturday afternoon in Lake Villa.

Lakes' quarterback Chris Selig (10 of 20 for 158 yards passing with 2 TD passes) had to make the adjustment along with the rest of the Eagles coming into the game.

"We didn't get to play (Friday) and it was a little disappointing," Selig said. "But you have to respond to change and I think we responded well. I was actually watching Antioch's game (Friday night) and seeing what they could do. I was like wow, because they are playing and that's not fair. So, I came out here thinking to come out strong."

The Eagles had a few other things not typical before the start of the game Saturday that helped them out.

"We actually did a light lift (Saturday morning) and we've never done that before." Selig said "We responded to that really well with a good workout. We also saw a video of some past players now playing in college and the NFL level. It was really inspiring."

The Eagles' defense was inspired, too. It had one of its best games of the season with 6 sacks and a couple of first half interceptions. Jim Klemm and Isiah Talley each had picks for the Eagles.

"Defense was outstanding," Lakes coach Jordan Eder said. "The D-line was exceptional today. Honestly, they've been good all year long. A lot of the scores that come to the offense is what the defense does. It's something they've been doing all year and it's fun to watch."

Leading the defense was Isaiah Perrin with 2 ½ sacks and he had several tackles along with Jake Hren assisting.

"Our team is clicking. Our defensive line gives a lot of pressure on the edge and it allows the inside guys to take over," Perrin said. "I just try to be fast off the line and get past my defender. I just attack the guy in front of me and go for the ball. We were able to get a lot of pressure and that's why we went in and did pretty well."

Lakes (4-1, 3-0) opened the scoring behind David Garcia (8 carries, 47 yards) on a 1-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead with 1:53 let n the opening quarter.

After one of the interceptions, Jack Lochner caught a pass from Selig and ran for the score, going 70 yards. That increased the Lakes lead to 14-0 with 10:39 left in the second quarter.

Then, the Eagles added an Ethan Gheysen 22-yard field goal and a Romie Johnson 2-yard scamper into the end zone in the final couple of minutes for a 24-0 lead over Wauconda (1-4, 1-2) at halftime.

Wauconda got on the board late in the third quarter on a fourth-and-goal at the Eagles' 25-yard line. Nicholas Bulgarelli connected with Javerius McGuinn for a 25-yard pass reception into the end zone with 1:17 left.

Johnson added another rushing TD from 2 yards out and Gheysen made a 35-yard field goal in the final quarter for the Eagles.

"It wasn't the result we wanted and it wasn't the way we wanted to play the game," Wauconda coach Dave Mills said. "Every breakdown, every mistake we had, give credit to Lakes, and they took advantage of it. They put a lot of pressure on us and they caused a lot of things to happen on the inside. That pressure did affect us."

  Lakes' Branden Nava runs for yardage in the second quarter against Wauconda at Lakes on Saturday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Lakes' Branden Nava scores a touchdown and celebrates with teammate Romie Johnson against Wauconda at Lakes on Saturday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Wauconda's Nick Bulgarelli runs for yardage against Lakes on Saturday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Lakes' tough defense brings down Wauconda's Nick Bulgarelli on Saturday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Wauconda's Nick Bulgarelli runs for yardage as Lakes' Brandon Burdette fails to tackle him Saturday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Lakes' Mark Hunter runs for yardage against Wauconda at Lakes on Saturday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Lakes' Romie Johnson runs for yardage in the second quarter against Wauconda at Lakes on Saturday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.comLakes' David Garcia runs for yardage despite pressure from Wauconda's defense at Lakes on Saturday.
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