For the Tomahawk Leader
LAKELAND – For the first time since 2003, the Tomahawk Hatchet football team defeated the Lakeland Thunderbirds on Friday, Aug. 26.
The final score was 36-29.
Hatchet kicker William Tombs got the scoring started with a 31-yard field goal in the first quarter. Caleb Dickens found the end zone on a 19-yard run later in the quarter.
In the second quarter, quarterback Tyler Jablonski connected with Mason Evans for a 54-yard touchdown pass.
Jablonski and Evans added touchdown runs of five yards and nine yards, respectively, in the third quarter.
Jablonski tacked on another rushing touchdown from one yard out late in the fourth quarter to lock in the win.
The Hatchets outpaced the T-Birds in total yards (Tomahawk 282/Lakeland 212), rushing yards (225 yards on 48 attempts/86 yards on 29 attempts), and first downs (17/7). Lakeland found more production through the air, tallying 126 passing yards to Tomahawk’s 57.
Tomahawk fumbled the ball three times, losing possession twice, while Lakeland lost the ball on one fumble.
The Hatchets’ four penalties cost the team 24 yards. Lakeland committed seven penalties for 55 yards.
Time of possession was evenly split, with Tomahawk controlling the ball for 24:11 and Lakeland having possession for 23:49.
Jablonski completed two of five passes for 57 yards and one touchdown. Evans caught both of Jablonski’s passes for 57 yards and one touchdown.
Evans led the way on the ground, racking up 81 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, but the Hatchets spread the ball around in the rushing game. Jablonski rushed 15 times for 60 yards and a score, while Logan Seymour (8 rushes/48 yards), Dickens (10 rushes/35 yards), and Addison Peissig (3 rushes/1 yard) also contributed to the Hatchet ground attack.
Tomahawk’s record now stands at 2-0, while Lakeland fell to 0-2 with the loss.
The Hatchets will look to keep the momentum going when they host Northland Pines at Hatchet Field on Friday, Sept. 2. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
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