In a showdown of the top two teams in Class C West, Skaneateles came up just short against the Syracuse Institute of Technology Central Friday night.
In its final home game of the season, the Lakers lost to the Eagles 24-21 to move to 4-2 on the season. ITC is now 6-0 in its fourth season since returning under coach John Cosgrove.
ITC, who had yet to trail this season, got off to a quick start on the opening drive of the game when quarterback Tyler Carbonaro connected with Josh Thomas, who made a one-handed catch in the back of the endzone. Their next drive was capped by a touchdown run from DeLee Williams.
Senior Colin Jones made big plays for the Lakers throughout the game on offense and defense. Trailing 12-0 in the second quarter, Jones got his second interception of the game, shortly after a big punt return had set them up deep in Lakers territory.
Following the interception the Laker offense went on a 10-play, 80-yard drive capped with a three yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Tyler Parr to Jones.
Coming out after the half, the Lakers tried a little razzle dazzle. Parr bounced a backwards pass to Jones, who threw it downfield to a wide-openMark Goetzmann. Though much of the defense was thrown off by the bounce-pass, Goetzmann was pulled down by a defensive back after a 65-yard gain.
Even though the Lakers would turn over the ball on downs following the big play, it held the Eagles to a three-and-out got the ball back with good field position, which led to another Parr to Jones touchdown. By going up 14-12 for a portion of the third quarter, the Lakers gave ITC its first deficit of the season.
But ITC took the lead back on a 22-yard run by Keenan Scott later in the quarter and after another Josh Thomas touchdown reception held a 24-14 advantage late in the fourth. After having their first point after attempt blocked, ITC attempted, and failed, two-point conversions on its other three touchdowns in the game.
The Lakers would engineer another big drive that included a big completion to junior Connor Hill and a touchdown to Jones (his third of the game) with a little more than three minutes remaining.
Thanks to some tough running plays and an untimely facemask penalty called against Skaneateles, ITC was able to run out the clock, securing the victory and first place in the league going into the playoffs.
Skaneateles head coach Mike Olley said that the game came down to a couple of crucial first downs for ITC.
“We had times tonight where we had to get stops and to their credit, they did a really good job moving the chains when it mattered,” he said.
Olley said the offense was limited due to numerous minor injuries that kept some players off the field for parts of the game.
With the players battling ailments healed up, the Lakers will be ready for anyone they come up against in the playoffs – possibly even a rematch with ITC, he said.
“Our goal now is to win next week and then get healthy for the playoffs,” he said.
In its last regular season match, Skaneateles will visit Jordan-Elbridge next Friday. That game kicks off at 6:30 p.m.
