8/24 Lake Orion vs Oak Park - W 34-25

Weather dominated the beginning of the 2007 Lake Orion Varsity Football season, heavy storms delayed Friday’s game for an hour and a half.  By game time the Dragons seemed to be clicking on all cylinders with senior AJ Palko scoring from 3 yards out and an extra point by Evan Moran gave the Dragons an early 7-0 lead against the Oak Park Knights.  Early in the 2nd quarter, Cortez McKinnely’s touchdown scamper and a Moran conversion gave the Dragons a two score lead.  The Knights answered quickly however with a 44 yard touchdown run on their next possession.  With the conversion failing the Dragons went into the locker room at the half up 14-6 against Oak Park.  The 3rd quarter was dominated by big plays for the Knights.  The Knights scored on a 91 yard touchdown run and later scored on a tipped pass 98 yard interception return for the score.  With both conversions failing the Dragons entered the 4th quarter down 14-18 much to the surprise of the Dragon faithful in attendance.  The Dragons responded in the 4th with an 18 yard touchdown run by Palko to give Lake Orion a 20-14 lead after the extra point failed.  After a costly Oak Park turnover on downs, quarterback Chris Lum hit receiver Ryan Broth on 4th and 15 for a dramatic 28 yard touchdown.  With the Dragons now leading 27-18 and the clock winding down, Oak Park needed another big play to stay in the game.  Senior safety Blaine Stormer halted the Knights desperation drive with a key interception that resulted in a game clinching drive finished with a powerful 11 yard run by junior Branden Oakes.  Moran’s kick was good to cap the scoring at 34 for the Dragons.  Oak Park would not quit, scoring late to bring the final score to 34-25.  On the wet and wild night, the Dragons ran for 260 yards on the ground and another 110 yards through the air.  The Dragon defense stepped up big in the 2nd half, not allowing the Knights into the end zone until very late into the 4th.  Next week the Dragons will travel to Troy to take on the 1-0 colts, which looks to be an important game in the newly aligned OAA Red division.