The Sylvan Lake Lakers took a major step toward finishing first in the Central Alberta High School Football League with a 52-14 victory over the Notre Dame Cougars at home Friday.
The Lakers ran their record to 5-0 with the Cougars dropping to 3-1. The only other undefeated team is the Hunting Hills Lightning, who increased their record to 4-0 with a 54-0 win over the Wetaskiwin Sabres in Wetaskiwin.
In other action the Rocky Mountain House Rebels (2-3-0) beat the Camrose Trojans (1-3-1) 40-8 in Camrose.
The Lakers were never challenged as they jumped into a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and led 43-0 at the half. They finished with 203 yards rushing and 244 passing while the Cougars, who were playing without star running back Myles Corsiatto (ankle) had 130 yards on the ground and 93 in the air.
“We had seven starters out,” said Cougars head coach Gino Castellan. “But we started by fumbling twice early on and it got worse from there. But give them credit, they’re a very polished team.”
Brad Huhnold led the Lakers with three touchdowns while Bud Kriekle added a pair of majors and Luke Marshall and Shon Zenert one each. Alistair Smith kicked six converts. The Lakers other four points came on a pair of safeties.
Mike Main and Dario Viveros scored touchdowns for the Cougars with Luis Moreno adding a pair of converts.
Huhnold led the Lakers with 102 yards rushing on seven carries while catching five passes for 112 yards.
Chase Hoffman completed 14-of-24 passes for the Lakers while Kieran Pruden was good on five of 13 for Notre Dame. Kieran Mill carried the ball 14 times for 81 yards for the Cougars and Viveros had 49 yards on three carries and 62 yards in two catches.
Further information on the Rocky and Hunting Hills wins was unavailable at press time.
l The Stettler at Lindsay Thurber game was postponed Friday and will be played Monday at 6 p.m. at Great Chief Park.