By Jake McCoy

It was a heck of a defensive battle for a majority of last week’s game against the Rosepine Eagles. But the tough and gritty Grand Lake Hornets never gave in as two late scores put the game on ice and preserved a nice early season road victory.

It didn’t take long for the Hornets to score as Kelan Vasquez would return the opening kick off 75 yards for the touchdown setting the tone early. After Rosepine’s following drive would stall, the Hornets got the ball back and marched right down the field as JJ LaBove connected with Charles McFarland on a 12 yard touchdown pass. Kicker Luke Wainwright would knock through his second extra point on the night.

The Eagles would get on the board early in the second quarter as running back Devin Janice scored on a 1 yard touchdown run. However the extra point failed making the score 14-6 with 10:45 remaining before the half and that would stay the same going into the locker room.

The score would also remain the same all the way into the fourth quarter when Rosepine would score and convert the two point conversion tying the game up at 14. Grand Lake would drive the ball down the field on the next drive. However during a big pass play that carried deep into Rosepine territory, the Hornets would fumble the football during and the Eagles would recover. Shortly after they made a nice drive of their own down the field. However after a timeout and a defensive adjustment, the Hornets would stop the Eagles on fourth down light in the fourth quarter. It only took 3 to 4 plays before quarterback JJ LaBove would call his own number on a 16 yard keeper to put the pressure on the home standing Eagles.

With time running out in less than two minutes to go Rosepine was desperately trying to make something work in order to tie the game up. However, they would throw an interception right into the hands of Law Faulk who would return at 43 yards for a touchdown, which was the final nail in the coffin for the Rosepine Eagles. It was a hard fought team win!

Scoring Summary

GL: Kelan Vasquez 75 yard kick return (Luke Wainwright kick)

GL: Vasquez 12 yard pass from JJ LaBove (Wainwright kick)

RP: Devin Janice 1 yard run (kick failed)

RP: Janice 2 yard run (2 pt. conversion good)

GL: LaBove 16 yard run (Wainwright kick)

GL: 43 yard interception for a touchdown (Wainwright kick)

Final Score: Grand Lake 28, Rosepine 14.