Almont moves closer to title

ALMONT — Almont (no. 3, Division 6) inched that much closer to securing a possible Blue Water Area Conference title, accomplishing the feat with a 35-15 triumph against host Richmond (no. 5, Division 5) last Friday night.

With the decision, Almont raises their mark to 7-0 and 6-0. Richmond watches their record fall to 6-1 and 5-1.

“It was a great team win versus a tough Richmond squad,” Almont Coach James Leusby commented. “The team’s energy, focus and effort were outstanding in all three phases of the game,” he noted.

“Sean O’Neil’s kicking was huge for us, especially when it came to Richmond’s starting drive positions. Blake Lane and the offense found their rhythm and executed the game plan, despite the wet conditions. Defense was locked in and created multiple turnovers, which definitely impacted the game and Richmond’s momentum. We have a huge week ahead as we prepare for North Branch and a chance to bring home the BWAC title.”

In Friday’s showdown, Almont grabbed a 7-0 edge after one quarter was over.

Quarter two saw both sides collect seven points, leaving Almont with a 14-7 halftime lead to protect.

When the action resumed, Almont established some much-needed breathing room. Aided by a 21-0 third quarter advantage, the Raiders increased their cushion to 35-7.

Richmond then outscored Almont 7-0 the rest of the way, only to drop a 35-14 verdict.

Almont produced their winning 35-point total aided by a Matthew Bacholzky 31-yard touchdown run (followed by a successful extra point kick courtesy of Sean O’Neil); a Colten Karbel one-yard touchdown run (followed by an accurate extra point boot by O’Neil); a Blake Lane to Brody Corneau 11-yard touchdown pass (followed by a successful extra point kick courtesy of O’Neil); a Corneau nine-yard touchdown run (followed by an accurate extra point boot by O’Neil); and a Lane to Logan Schapman 39-yard touchdown pass (followed by a successful extra point kick courtesy of O’Neil).

For the night, Lane completed three of five pass plays for 63 yards as Almont’s quarterback. He threw zero interceptions along the way.

His successful tosses went to three different targets. Their ranks consisted of Schapman (one catch for 39 yards), Ryan O’Neil (one reception for 13 yards) and Corneau (one catch for 11 yards).

The Almont ground attack managed 186 yards on 33 totes.

Bacholzky (10 rushes for 73 yards) and Jacob Stewart (39 yards on nine totes) posted Almont’s top rushing totals. The remaining 14 Raider rushes netted a combined 64-yard gain.

Karbel (seven tackles and five assists) and Cohen Ferqueron (three solos and 10 assists) generated Almont’s highest tackle totals. Dalton Oliphant (four solos and three assists), Ayden Battani (three solos and two assists) and Dustin Claeys two solos and two assists), Stewart (one solo and three assists) and Gordon Stolecki (four assists) made their presence felt as well.

The Almont defense also registered two takeaways. Ferqueron (an interception) and Bacholzky (a fumble recovery) furnished those.

Almont will attempt to add to their BWAC record-setting win streak of 23 games when it travels to North Branch for their league finale this Friday. The matchup lists a 7 p.m. starting time.