LocalSportsJournal.com

SPRING LAKE — Spring Lake was either going to start reeling following a humbling first loss of the season last week or the Lakers were going to dig down and bounce back.

Alex Lee and a ball-hawking secondary made sure the Lakers bounced back.

Lee ran for 179 yards and four touchdowns, including a critical 4-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, helping the Lakers score a 27-20 victory over a talented Coopersville (5-2 overall, 3-2 O-K Blue) squad Friday evening.

The Lakers (6-1, 4-1 O-K Blue) will have a shot at the league lead next week when they face undefeated Grand Rapids West Catholic.
First things first, the Lakers needed to take care of a physical Broncos squad.

“That’s a really good football team,” Spring Lake coach Dan Start said of the Broncos. “They’re a stout ‘D’ against the run and they forced us to put the ball in the air some in the first half. It was wet, so that was a challenge.

“We went into the locker room, made a few minor adjustments and got the ground game going.”

Tied 7-7 at the half, Lee put the Lakers ahead with a 40-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, then a 4-yard score early in the fourth.

“With Alex, it’s not a matter of if he’s going to get going, but when,” Start said.

Coopersville responded with a 26-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Steele Rosloniec. That was one of a few bright spots through the air for Coopersville, as the Broncos were picked off four times during the contest, including a pair by Lee. Jackson Core and Joe Westhoff also had picks for the Lakers.

Lee’s fourth touchdown was Spring Lake’s most important, as it gave the Lakers a 27-14 lead.

The Broncos added a 10-yard touchdown pass later in the fourth, but could draw no closer.

“Our defensive backfield really played well, with those four interceptions,” Start said. “That unit, as well as our D-line. They did a great job against the inside run and really limited that.”

RJ Lisman led Spring Lake with seven tackles while Lee and Core tallied six apiece.  

Check out photos from the Lakers’ win shot by Kelly Gates.