The #3 (3A) Clear Lake Lions varsity football squad toughed out a hard fought victory Friday night over the Charles City Comets by a score of 13 to 6.  Warm and humid conditions challenged multiple players, as cramping was a common theme.  The Comets defense also proved to be a tough riddle to solve as well.

The Lions started things offense with a 3 and out and ensuing punt.  The opening defensive sequence was highlighted by Tanner Tusha nearly picking off a pass.  An unsportsmanlike penalty kept the Comet drive alive but Logan Kellogg’s 2 year run stuff and Chase Lester’s run support helped to end the drive.  On the Lions 2nd drive, starting from the Lions 17 yard line, Tanner Truesdell and Cody Maulsby provided solid running.  The Lions attempted a fake punt by handing the ball to Maulsby, but he came up 2 yards short of the first down.  The Lions defense once again holds their own as the Comets started from the Lion 40.  On the drive, Pete Swenson provided some solid run support on two plays, and Truesdell brought an end to the drive with a 4th down bat down of a pass.  3 and out for the ensuing Lions drive.  Bryson Hamilton provided a 2 yard run stuff and teamed with Maulsby on a 6 yard sack on 3rd and 10.  The ensuing Lions offensive possession started on their own 30 yard line and saw nice runs by Maulsby, Michael Keeran, and Gavin Sheakly.  Quarterback Ozzie Adams hooked up with Maulsby on a 2 and 11 from the 48 for a 20 yard reception.  The drive stalled in Comet territory when the Lions failed to convert a 4th and 6 as Adams nearly hooked up with Truesdell on a pass.  The Comets started the next drive from their own 25 and got their running game going with multiple runs over 10 yards.  The lions held their ground as Zac Bendickson diagnosed a swing pass and nailed the receiver for a 5 yard loss.  On 3rd down the comets botched the snap and Kellogg was there to clean up the QB for a 10 yard loss.  After the punt, the lions began the next drive at their own 20.  Adams aired it out to Jake Kockler down the sidelines but the connection was not to be.  The drive ends on a lions fumble on their own 31.  The comets promptly put up the only score of the half on a 31 yard TD reception.  A 3 and out for the lions ended the half with the score of comets 6 and lions 0.

The 2nd half saw a different lions squad as they came out fired up.  Bryson Hamilton ended the comets first drive with a tackle for loss.  Keeran got things going for the lions with a 20 yard punt return to the comets 36.  Keeran, Tusha, Sheakly, and Truesdell gashed the defense with nice runs on the lions drive with Keeran finishing it off with a 1 yard TD drive.  The offensive line was getting a much better push the entire 2nd half, and it showed on the opening drive.  After a short drive by the comets, the lions, from their own 43, have a promising drive end with an Adams quick kick.  On the next comet drive, Brandon Meyers brings the 3rd quarter to an end with a nice tackle for loss.  6-6 at the end of 3.  The 4th quarter kicked off with Hamilton and Kellogg absolutely crushing a comet runner, sandwiching him for a 2 yard loss.  Pressure on 3rd and 14 from Kellogg and Meyers end the drive.  Keeran with another nice punt return of nearly 20 yards.  The definitive drive of the night began at the comet 48.  It began with an 8 yard scramble from Adams.  Truesdell runs for 5 yards to pick up a big 1st down.  On 3rd and 14 Adams hooked up with Luke Monson on a 10 yard pass play.  On 4th and 4 from the comet 28, Adams dumped a short pass to Maulby, who worked his way into the end zone for a big touchdown.  Logan Kracht added the extra point to make it 13-6 with 7:21 to play.  The comets started their final drive from their own 45 after a big return.  A quick 18 yard pass put the comets in lion territory.  After a Truesdell 2 yard run stuff, the comets moved it to the lions 15 yard line.  Kellogg and others stuffed the next run play.  After a 2 yard gain on 3rd and 10, the comets were left with a 4th and 8 from the lion 13.  The play saw the comets quarterback scramble, with Tusha and his teammates coming up with a huge sack, a loss of 18 yards, essentially sealing the deal.  The teams traded a drive late in the game as the lions went on to seal the game by a final score of 13-6.

The lions visit Forest City next Friday night to battle the Indians.