LENOX – Lenox came as advertised: A well-oiled machine.
The Braves knew that coming in. Still, when you don’t win your last game, it’s just hard.
Lenox showed great fundamental football and pounded the Braves 62-20 in the quarterfinal round of the Class 8 playoffs on Thursday evening, Nov. 7.
The Braves’ season ends at 10 wins and 2 losses, one win shy of the state semifinals, which Lenox, now 11-0, will play in on Wednesday in the UNIDome.
The Tigers led the Braves 35-7 at halftime. Montezuma did answer with a 13-point third period, but also gave up 13 and just couldn’t keep the powerful Lenox offense off the field.
Lenox had three really solid runners, including a rangy quarterback who mixed in play action passing.
The Tiger defense swarmed the middle of the field against the run, and defended the passing lanes, too, stopping drives with three interceptions, one for a touchdown return.
The Tigers also forced one Montezuma punt.
The stats for these two teams were not as far apart as you might expect for a 62-20 score.
The Braves gained 308 yards on 56 offensive plays.
Lenox picked up 387 yards on 55 plays.
But Lenox scored 8 touchdowns to Montezuma’s 3. That suggests the Braves were not able to finish drives against the quick Tigers defense.
The Lenox running backs and quarterback squared their shoulder pads and kept them pointed at the goal line. Their legs churned and they could not be brought down with arm tackles including after solid initial contact. and often, not even after solid initial contact.
After one of their scores, Lenox recovered an onside kickoff, which just added to the home team’s momentum.
The Braves didn’t force Lenox to punt, nor did Montezuma record a tackle for loss or a sack.
The Lenox special teams were good, too, and . . .well, you get the picture.
Montezuma played hard. Running back Broox Stockman had a particularly intense game, with a number of double digit runs from his running position. He rushed for 132 yards on 14 carries, with two going for touchdowns.
Stockman scored on a 15-yard run as the Braves opened the second half with a long scoring drive that cut their deficit to 35-14.
Late in the third quarter, Stockman scored on a on a nice 36-yard run to end the period at 48-20.
Midway through the second quarter, Stockman intercepted a pass in the end zone on a play where he may have wrestled the ball away from a Lenox receiver as they rolled for control.
Stockman also had six tackles, including three solo. David Rose had 7 tackles, including 5 solo.
Quartback Brady Boulton ran for Montezuma’s first touchdown, after the Braves drove the field on their first drive to answer Lenox’ opening touchdown.
But Boulton found the middle shut off for his quick runs, and gained 12 yards on just 4 rushes as the Tiger defenders beat the Braves to the edge.
Fullback Brett Plants was solid, with 77 rushing yards on 18 carries.
Our congratulations to the Braves for their season! They put in a lot of off-season work, adding strength to a lot of already athletic frames.
They gave Braves fans several strong finishes for victories in close game. They won 10 of those games, which not a lot of Montezuma teams have done.
They made it to the final eight in Class 8.
It says here that Lenox won’t be an “easy out” in Cedar Falls.
They’re really good, folks.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Lenox 14 21 13 14 – 62
Montezuma 7 0 13 0 – 20