LCL hosted sister school Martin Luther for its homecoming game in 2022 and the incredible energy that filled the air made for an exciting atmosphere, but the Spartans ultimately emerged with all of it on their sideline, winning a nail-biter over the Lightning, 27-26. Martin Luther improved to 5-1 on the season, while LCL dropped to 2-4.
Friday marked the first varsity start for sophomore quarterback Jackson Menzel, who took over under center while previous starter Blake Thelen took snaps at both wide receiver and running back. Menzel finished 9/18 with a 5-yard touchdown pass to senior John Thoni midway through the third quarter. Thelen had a very productive day on the ground, rushing for 52 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown run that gave LCL a 17-13 lead.
This touchdown marked a key point in the game for LCL, which had its first lead since early in the first quarter and had entered the second half with a 13-3 deficit.
Not to be outdone by the offense, junior kicker Maddux Kiley made his mark on both the game and the LCL football program, becoming just the second kicker in school history to make two field goals of 30 or more yards in the same game. His 40-yard kick to open scoring in the fourth quarter put the Lightning up by seven, and Kiley became the first LCL kicker since Matt Reilly in 2017 to make a 40-yard field goal.
However, the Spartans were quick to respond, as two touchdowns just over a minute apart from seniors L’Shawn Taylor and Joshua Peterson flipped the margin, now giving Martin Luther the seven-point advantage with 3:07 to play.
LCL marched downfield, and a couple of short throws from Menzel along with a defensive pass interference put the Lightning in great position to answer. Senior Matt Dobson would run the ball in from two yards out to put LCL within one. However, seeking more than the tie, LCL opted to go for two. Thelen was given the handoff, but was stopped within the one-yard line by the Martin Luther defense, maintaining the lead. They would recover the ensuing onside kick without issue, sealing the win. The loss marked LCL’s third of the season by three points or fewer.
LCL (2-4) moves into the next week preparing to take on an undefeated Racine St. Catherine’s squad (6-0), featuring a menacing defense that has only allowed 26 points during its four games of conference play. The Lightning lead the all-time series with the Angels, 3-1.
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