HOLMES TOWNSHIP — Running the condensed version of the run-and-shoot, the Lucas Cubs have been extremely confident in the ability to move the football — especially on the ground.
But Friday night against Wynford (0-3), the Cubs (2-1) beat the Royals through the air.
Certainly, Lucas was able to run the football, rushing for 225 yards and averaging 6.8 yards per carry.
But senior quarterback Andrew Smollen tossed three scoring passes as the Cubs dropped the Royals, 42-14 Friday night.
Lucas coach Scott Spitler has not been happy with his bread-and-butter run game thus far this season, but he was happy with the results against the Royals.
“The first couple of weeks we played against two darn-good football teams, we didn’t get our run game cranked up like we like to, so we really went after it this week and really focused on our base stuff,” Spitler said.
“I thought our guys did a better job of that at times,” he added. “I thought we had a little lull there and, coming out in the second half I think we kinda put our foot off the pedal there a little bit. But then we regrouped, and I couldn’t be more proud of our guys.”
Halfback Andrew Fanello rushed for 131 yards on 12 carries and three scores, while catching two passes for 36 yards and two scores in the win.
“We had a short week because we played on Saturday, so to come out and have that kind of performance, and we’re kinda undersized up front,” Spitler said.
Wynford hung tough in the second half and actually controlled the football in the final two periods.
“I don’t think our guys will ever give up,” Wynford coach Cyle Skidmore said. “Our kids are tough kids; they love football, and they love each other. They’re going to come together regardless of what the score is.
“At a certain point, you have to decide we are going to have to go for it and try and make plays,” Skidmore added. “Sometimes it’s there and sometimes it just didn’t happen our way.”
Lucas got the run game going in the first quarter and took control of the game.
Smollen hit Fanello from 14 yards out to give the Cubs a 7-0 lead before the halfback raced 56 yards for the score.
Moments later, Graysen Jackson scored from 14 yards away and Lucas held a 21-0 lead after one quarter.
Wynford got on the board in the second quarter when quarterback Ashton Warren found Sam Collene in the back of the end zone.
Smollen then found a wide-open Corbin Toms from 47-yards out and Lucas held a 28-7 lead at the half.
“If they’re going to load the box, we have to make them pay in the passing game,” Spitler said. “We have a senior quarterback who has seen everything a team can throw at him. He stood in the pocket under intense pressure and made them pay for loading the box and he had a great night. Corbin Toms and Andrew Fanello had great nights, too.”
Wynford got on the board in the third quarter on a two-yard run by Warren, but the Cubs finished the scoring on a 22-yard pass from Smollen to Fanello, then Fanello scored his fifth touchdown of the game on a 44-yard run late in the game.
Skidmore said that preparing for the Cubs condensed offense is difficult.
“It’s an offense that is hard to defend,” Skidmore said. “We thought we were ready to go, and we thought we could defend them. But it’s an offense that you don’t see very much. It’s hard to mimic in practice, especially with a scout team.”
Skidmore said the Wynford coaching staff prepared for the Lucas passing game.
“On film, we knew they were going to throw the ball a little bit,” Skidmore said. “They’ve done a little bit more of that this year. They execute really well.”
Wynford got off to an 0-3 start for the first time in 30 years, but Skidmore expects his team to continue to improve.
“0-3 is not where we want to be but now, the league starts and now it’s conference games,” Skidmore said. “Our main goal is to win the conference.
“Our goal is to play teams that are competitive,” Skidmore added. “When the league games start, we are ready to play. Hopefully it helps us and hopefully things go our way.”
Box score
Score by quarters
Lucas 21 7 7 7 — 42
Wynford 0 7 7 0 — 14
Scoring summary
First quarter
L — Andrew Fanello 14 pass from Andrew Smollen (Aiden Culler kick), 9:14.
L — Fanello 56 run (Culler kick), 6:47.
L — Grayson Jackson 14 run (Culler kick), :19.
Second quarter
W — Sam Collene 4 pass from Ashton Warren, (Collin Hulsmeyer kick), 5:15.
L — Corbin Toms 47 pass from Smollen (Culler kick), 2:41.
Third quarter
W — Warren 2 run (Hulsmeyer kick), 1:46.
Fourth quarter
L — Fanello 44 run (Culler kick), 1:06.
Team statistics
L W
First downs 12 14
Rushing 33-225 45-148
Passes 5-12-1 2-13-1
Yards passing 124 30
Total yards 349 178
Fumbles-lost 1-1 1-1
Penalties 9-65 5-35