Hours before LCL beat USM 55-16 on homecoming night, the stadium began buzzing. A celebratory alumni cookout drew in plenty of former students, including a number of football team veterans ecstatic to cheer on this year’s group. In fact, all kinds of Lightning fans gathered in pregame fellowship and festivities- parents in the stands, the dance team, pep band, and choir on the sideline providing entertainment and school spirit, and young prospective students running around with footballs and games of their own. Coach Braz emphasized his message to make it a night of celebration for both “the alumni wishing they had another chance to play and the little ones [playing in the future.]” As for Sam Heicher, he said all the fans being there certainly helped the team to “perform the best they could and bring energy.” The craziness and excitement of the night was drawn to a hush during the kickoff firework show, and all of Lightning Nation- past, present, and future- tuned in to watch their team come out victorious in their homecoming game.
One the opening drive for the Lightning, Heicher continued to display his strong season with a 38-yard run bringing the offense all the way across the field. Luke Boldt’s diving catch near the endzone set up a short rushing touchdown for Stephen Connell not even a minute and a half into the game. Heicher and Levi Benes then continued to carry the ball into scoring position, where Luke Haertle connected with Tim Frerking on a score, putting LCL up 14-0. Defensively, Colin Amack picked up a fumble recovery to get the football back, and the offense capitalized. Boldt made another great catch on a dart from Haertle, and Heicher was pushed out on the left sideline just shy of a touchdown. On the left side of the endzone though, Haertle reached John Nehls with a good throw and great catch for another Lightning score. The two connected yet again on the next drive, with Nehls extending to catch a 28-yard dime. Connell also carried on with his strong night, breaking through the middle twice in a row to pick up yardage, then his second touchdown of the evening. Frerking and Mike Sterr helped to keep suffocating the Wildcats’ offense, making a nice combined tackle on a fumbled play that USM managed to recover. For the Lightning offense, Clay Roehl sped down the field for what was almost a touchdown, but still a massive gain. This set up Heicher’s 7-yard rushing score, increasing the lead to 34 points. Amack and Frerking continued carrying the defensive load, and with just about 30 seconds left in the half, Henry Witte recovered a ball in the endzone for a touchdown.
Any scoring for the Lightning in the second half came in the third quarter of the game. Bryce Damato went off for a 71-yard touchdown and Amack returned an onside kick for six more points. The Wildcats added 8 points of their own in each of the final two quarters, but Brett Powers stopped USM’s offensive momentum with a big interception and return. LCL remained undefeated on the season in exciting fashion via a 55-16 win on homecoming evening, impressing stands packed with alumni, parents, students, and kids.
Heicher, speaking on behalf of many seniors after his final homecoming game, reflected: “It was crazy. Before the game I was just sitting in the stands taking it all in, thinking about how quick it’s gone… It’s exciting to get a big win here, and exciting to be with my coaches and my brothers here, but It’ll probably hit [me] a little more tomorrow.”
Final Score: Lake Country Lutheran 55, University School of Milwaukee 16