Imlay City downed by Lutheran North

IMLAY CITY — Imlay City closed out the Blue Water Area Conference portion of its schedule with a 37-20 road loss to Lutheran North on Friday night.

With the outcome, Lutheran North improved to 7-1 overall and 6-1 in conference play, while Imlay City fell to 6-2 and 5-2.

Imlay City led 7-6 after the first quarter. Lutheran North then outscored the Spartans 26-7 over the second and third quarters to take a 32-14 lead into the fourth quarter. Both teams scored six points in the final period.

Daniel Rojas led Imlay City with a 5-yard touchdown run, followed by a Max Galeana extra-point kick. Brett Lestage added a 29-yard touchdown run, with Galeana kicking the point-after. Cash Young also threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Homer.

Young completed 3 of 9 passes for 28 yards as Imlay City’s starter. Lestage completed his only pass attempt for 3 yards. Jacob Robb had one catch for 14 yards, Lestage caught one for 10 yards, Bryce Homer caught one for 4 yards, and Henry Schmidt had one catch for 3 yards.

The Spartans rushed for 342 yards on 45 carries, led by Lestage’s 205 yards on 14 carries and Rojas’ 155 yards on 24 carries.

On defense, Bryce Homer and another teammate led Imlay City with eight tackles each, while Lestage had six tackles and an interception. Brady Homer added five tackles.

Imlay City hosts non-league foe Ovid-Elsie at 7 p.m. Friday in its regular-season finale. The Spartans will learn their playoff opponent during the “Selection Sunday” show on Oct. 25.