St. Charles North’s offense comes alive to deny Lake Park third win
Lake Park’s playoff hope dimmed considerably Friday with a 49-13 DuKane Conference loss to St. Charles North.
Coming into the regular season finale with two victories, the Lancers needed one more win to become playoff eligible. Depending on how the field shakes out, Lake Park still has a small chance of extending its season one more week.
The North Stars’ offense dominated the contest with explosive plays that racked up a total of 540 yards — 292 on the ground and 248 in the air.
St. Charles North (5-4, 3-4) took control immediately, caping its opening five-play, 75-yard drive with a 20-yard pass from quarterback Landon Conroy (6 of 8 passing for 225 yards) to sophomore wide receiver Kiren Walker.
The host North Stars extend their lead to 14-0 on their next possession on an 8-yard Tommy Vendl run. The senior rushed for 142 yards on 12 carries and scored three times.
“I think Tommy Vendl and the offensive line did a great job. The offensive line has been a mainstay for us,” said St. Charles North coach Rob Pomazak. “Tommy ran with passion. Jeremiah Michael did a great job and so did Andre Smith. Those three guys have been fantastic.”
“We knew that No. 1 (Vendl) was a really good running back. We knew we needed to stop him and we didn’t,” Lake Park coach Chris Kirkpatrick said. “And that just set up their play action passes.”
A 76-yard pass from Lake Park (2-7, 1-6) junior quarterback Tay Smith (11 for 20 for 148 yards) to classmate Will Raftis opened the Lancers’ last possession of the first quarter. Starting the drive at their own 14-yard line, Smith connected with Raftis on a short toss over the middle. The junior wide receiver cut over to the right side and reached the North Stars’ 10-yard line before being knocked out of bounds. The drive ended 30 seconds into the second quarter with a Smith 4-yard scramble over the goal line.
St. Charles North scored twice in the second quarter. The first came on Vendl’s second TD, a 22-yard run. The second score came on a 1-yard Conroy plunge.
The possession included a highlight reel 91-yard pass and run play from Conroy to Vendl. Facing third-and-9 on their own 8-yard line, the North Stars QB threw a screen pass to Vendl. The senior galloped down the right side and was finally brought down on Lake Park’s 1-yard line.
Leading 28-6 at halftime, St. Charles North scored three more times in the third quarter to put the game away. Vendl scored his third touchdown on a 51-yard run a minute and three seconds into the second half. Jack Leigl followed with a 58-yard TD reception. Michael (14 carries for 94 yards) ended the North Stars scoring with a 9-yard run.
Jason Gatlin scored the Lancers’ second touchdown on a 4-yard run in the fourth quarter.
“We have a glimmer of hope that we can be in the playoffs and I hoping our seniors get one more week to extend their season,” Kirkpatrick said.