Timberwolves fall to Meridian in 5A semifinals

MERIDIAN, Idaho – The Lake City football team knew it had a tough task Friday night playing at Meridian in a State 5A semifinal.

Making things harder were an early injury and untimely turnovers that eventually proved to be too much to overcome in a 42-21 loss.

Starting quarterback Garren Hammons sprained his ankle on his team’s second offensive play, limiting Lake City’s vaunted option game. Lake City also fumbled twice with its back against its goal line, setting up two touchdowns that helped the Warriors grab a 28-7 lead in the second quarter.

“In a game of this magnitude, you can’t turn the ball over and expect to win,” Lake City coach Van Troxel said. “We got a couple back, but we didn’t capitalize on them. I thought our kids played hard, but I think Meridian just played a little harder. Give them credit – they’re a good team.”

Hammons’ ankle injury didn’t help matters. The junior had run for more than 500 yards in the past four games, but he spent most of Friday night limping around the backfield getting the ball to the Timberwolves’ other playmakers.

“Our ability to run outside was pretty much lost,” said running back Kyle Ferebee, who ran for a 74-yard touchdown in the first quarter and finished with 165 yards rushing. “I had the one big run, but without Garron we couldn’t spread it out. That hurt us in the long run.”

Hammons didn’t miss a single play and tried his best to hurt the Warriors with his arm.

He threw several perfect deep balls and finished the night 19-of-32 passing for 266 yards and two scores. Chris Delport was the primary target, hauling in five balls for 126 yards. His highlight-reel 70-yard reception just 2 minutes into the third quarter brought Lake City within 28-21.

“I thought we had a chance,” Ferebee said. “I thought we could pull it out.”

While Hammons couldn’t run, that wasn’t a problem for Meridian quarterback Jake Burroughs. He ran 11 times for 136 yards and two scores.

His ball fakes on option plays seemed to befuddle the Lake City defense.

“He’s so good at just holding it there,” Lake City safety Steve Novotny said. “You don’t expect it, and he’s tough to tackle in the open field.”

Burroughs wasn’t the only runner who hurt the Timberwolves. Tailback Austin Deck carried 29 times for 170 yards and two scores.

“Their offensive line did a great job of pushing our defensive line back and just opened holes for them,” Novotny said. “They’re excellent runners. It’s hard to stop them.”

Burroughs’ 51-yard run, during which he faked out three Timberwolves, was the crushing blow. The touchdown play came just 2 minutes after Delport’s touchdown had the Timberwolves’ faithful believing.

“Jake is good,” Troxel said, “and I give their defense credit. Their defensive front is very good.”

Lake City finished the season 9-2, while Meridian (10-1) advances to Friday’s state championship game against Highland of Pocatello, which defeated Centennial in the other semifinal.

“It was a good year,” Novotny said. “It was my senior year, and I wanted it bad.

“But Meridian got off the ball a little better than we did and punched us in the mouth.”