Lake Fenton Football Team Shuts Out LakeVille

The speed of Lake Fenton's offensive players has given the Blue Devils an advantage this season when runners can get outside the tackles. But coach Eric Doyle has been hoping to run the ball more effectively up the middle. Friday in a 56-0 win over LakeVille, Doyle got his wish.

Fullback Bryce Frownfelter ran for more than 150 yards, helping Lake Fenton's offense dominate.

"It was the offensive line, no doubt about it," Frownfelter said. "When we go up the middle (effectively), that clears things out for the other guys. If they stop us in the middle, guys can go around the edge."

Lake Fenton made its share of big plays on the outside too. Frownfelter broke open some big runs up the middle, but Neil Allor, Zac Zielinski and Lance Hasenfratz also were able to get outside and make plays, helping the Blue Devils build a 21-0 lead in the opening minutes of the game.

As the Lake Fenton defense, which forced LakeVille into four turnovers and held the Falcons to just 37 yards of offense, came up with a stop on third down early in the second quarter, Doyle implored his team to stay focused and continue putting pressure on. The team listened.

On the very next play, LakeVille punted and Allor returned it more than 40 yards for a touchdown to put Lake Fenton up 28-0.

"They're starting to believe," Doyle said. "That makes it so much easier to coach. The things you're saying as a coach, they're going out and doing, and now all of a sudden, they're seeing that they can accomplish big things. I'm proud of the kids tonight, they played hard."

Although the offense lit up the scoreboard, it was the defense that was truly dominant. In additon to giving up just 37 yards, LakeVille didn't complete a pass. The Falcons only had one first down in the first quarter, and that was a result of a penalty.

"That's just music to a coach's ears to hear stats like that," Doyle said.

The win puts Lake Fenton at 2-1 and 2-0 in the GAC. The Blue Devils travel to win-less Durand (0-3) next week before the schedule gets tough. Lake Fenton has games against perennial GAC powers Beecher, Goodrich and Montrose with a non-conference game against North Branch mixed in over the next four weeks. Despite the tough opponents on tap, Doyle is pleased with how the team is progressing.

"We played a complete football game tonight — offense, defense and special teams," Doyle said. "It's really starting to click and get fun for them. Hopefully, we can take another step next week and just keep getting better."