Albion blanks Lake Shore in season finale

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 30 April 2021 at 10:04 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – The Albion defense converges on Lake Shore’s Mike Neary during this evening’s game at Spierdowis Field as Adonis Guzman (70) and Bryce Froman (40) lead the way.

Closing out the season on a high note, Albion blanked visiting Lake Shore 15-0 this evening in the B2 Division finale at wind swept Spierdowis Field.

Defense was the name of the game for Albion as the Purple Eagles stopped Lake Shore drives at the Albion 2, 26, 25 and 7 yard lines in the first half and at the 10 in the second half.

“The kids just did a great job with the defensive adjustments,” said Coach Adam Krenning.

Ignited by that big stop at the 2 yard line, the Albion offense took just four plays to drive 98 yards for what proved to be the winning touchdown.

Albion’s Tony Freeman goes to the outside for big yardage pursued by Lake Shore defender Aiden Kaczmarek.

Runs of 37 yards by Tony Freeman and 21 by quarterback Amari Jones set the stage for a 37 yard touchdown scamper by Sh’kwe Riley with 5:28 to go in the opening quarter. Jones added the two-point conversion run to make it 8-0.

A big special teams play of a blocked punt deep in Lake Shore territory later set up Albion’s second touchdown.

Junior Morales blocked the punt inside the Lake Shore 5 yard line and Chris Shabazz made the recovery at the one.

It took just one play for the Purple Eagles offense to capitalize as Jones powered his way into the end zone from the 1 and DeClan McCue tacked on the extra point kick for a 15-0 lead with 10:11 to go in the third quarter.

“It takes all three facets of the game to win and we got a great effort by everybody,” said Krenning.

A pass interception by Javon Jones in the fourth quarter helped to cap off the Purple Eagles defensive unit’s shutout effort.

Bryce Froman led Albion in tackles with 11 as Morales was in on 8 stops, Freeman 7, Shabazz 6 and Jacob Hughson, Brendan LeBaron and Javon Jones 5 each.

Albion finishes the season at 2-2 in the division and 2-3 overall while Lake Shore winds up at 1-3, 2-3.

Albion defenders Kyle Woolston (23), Junior Morales (12) and Jacob Hughson (44)  stop Lake Shore’s Mike Neary short of a first down.