Lakeland College

Defense Keys Win Over Benedictine

Athletics - posted on 9/30/2006

Lakeland College's defense limited Benedictine's offense to under 100 yards as the Muskies' football team improved to 2-0 in the Illini-Badger Football Conference with a 14-0 win Saturday at Taylor Field.

Lakeland (2-3, 2-0 IBFC) held the Eagles (2-3, 1-1 IBFC) to just 93 total yards as the defense earned its first shutout of the season.

"Our defense was great," said Lakeland head coach Jim Zebrowski. "They never gave up a drive. They were just outstanding. Every year we've always had a dominant defense in conference play. I challenged this year's defense to step up, and today they rose to the occasion for us."

Sophomore linebacker Blaine Hornes hauled in a deflection for an interception in the second quarter, and freshman defensive back Jake Schnetzer picked off a pass at the end of the fourth quarter to seal the win.

"Our defense plays well when we're excited," said sophomore linebacker John Wagner. "Our level of intensity gives the offense a chance to put the ball in the endzone. The talent we have on the defensive line with Shane (Schrimpf), Cubby (Josh LaBelle), Gary (Collins) and Steph (Stephan Johnson) really allows us to open up for the linebackers and safeties to make plays."

Freshman wide receiver Isiah Calhoun got Lakeland on the scoreboard first for the first time this season when he caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter from junior quarterback Brad Wilk. Sophomore Billy Hughes added the extra point to give the Muskies a 7-0 lead.

The Muskies would not score again until the fourth quarter. Freshman QB Jacob Heinemeyer, who replaced Wilk in the second half, scored on a 12-yard run to complete the game's scoring.

Junior wide receiver MacArthur White had another outstanding game with 12 receptions for 89 yards, 10 of those receptions coming in the first half.

Freshman fullback Dominique Collins had 41 yards on nine carries as he stepped into the halfback position for junior halfback Shawn Lee, who suffered an apparent season-ending knee injury in last week's win over Greenville.

"Emotions were flowing for us after Shawn Lee went down with an injury last week," said Wagner. "It shows you that in any game something can happen, so you have play every game like it may be your last."

Lakeland plays four of its next five games on the road, beginning with a trip to Eureka, Ill., next Saturday at 1 p.m.

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