With the rain pouring and the wind gusting, LCL moved to 6-0 on the season, behind quarterback Luke Haertle’s first perfect passer rating since October of 2019.
The 55-0 win over St. Francis marked the third shutout victory for the Lightning in their 2021 campaign, and their fourth by a margin of 34 or greater. This margin would be covered extremely early in the game, as LCL jumped out to a 34-0 lead after just the first quarter. Responsible for the scores were a pair of touchdown passes from Luke Haertle to Colin Amack and John Nehls, two rushes from Stephen Connell and Sam Heicher, and a safety off of a Gunnar Groesenick blocked punt. It was LCL’s third blocked kick of the season- all of which Groesenick accounted for.
The Lightning offense would set another season mark, going 4-4 on two-point attempts in the first quarter. Not attempting another in the game, it would be just the second time this season LCL would finish perfect on two-point attempts. As sophomore kicker Maddux Kiley took over the PAT duties, he too would finish perfect, the only time so far this season the Lightning would gain points on every extra-point attempt.
The offense would ease things up in the second quarter, adding only seven points to the total tally, by way of a 32-yard touchdown reception from junior Levi Benes.
The defense, however, would remain full steam ahead, as Groesenick would block a field goal for his fourth blocked kick of the season and second of the contest. The attempt would end up marking the Mariners’ final trip of the game into LCL territory.
The rain would continue to pour throughout the second half, and two touchdown passes to sophomore receiver Sam Hans would put the finishing touches on what was a masterful game from the Lightning in all regards.
LCL heads into homecoming week against University School of Milwaukee, hoping to remain undefeated. The Lightning have won their last ten meetings against the Wildcats dating back to 2011.