LAKE FENTON – What a football opening night.
The Gaylord Blue Devils football team has been waiting to prove that this year’s version of the team is different, and the Lake Fenton Blue Devils provided a perfect opportunity to do just that; The defending Flint Metro Conference champions, it was Lake Fenton that picked up an opening night win over Gaylord a season ago.
If the team had made the strides coach DJ Szymoniak and company preached they would, it would have been evident against a team led by All-League players in Lucas Storm and Jack Conley.
Early on, it looked like more of the same, as turnovers and fouls left Gaylord points on the board and allowed Lake Fenton to build a 14-0 lead in the third quarter.
But that’s where the changes began to emerge for Gaylord football.
After falling behind by two scores, the Blue Devils came back, with the defense holding Lake Fenton scoreless the rest of the way while the offense came up with clutch plays in big moments.
Trailing 14-7 late in the game, Caleb Aungst’s 34-yard pass to Ty Bensinger followed by Russell Hush’s two-point conversion gave Gaylord its first lead with less than a minute left, while the interception Brady Pretzlaff’s late shot sealed the dramatic event. , 15-14 come-from-behind victory on opening night.
“The kids, all the hard work they put in during the offseason,” Szymoniak said after the game. “They come together and do this.”
The opening half slam allows Lake Fenton to advance
While things went well for both Blue Devils at times in the first half, both teams also had some miscues typical of early season football.
Gaylord’s first down seemed destined for the end zone, but a fumble inside the five-yard line gave Lake Fenton a critical stop deep in their own territory. However, after the possession, a strip sack gave the ball right back to Gaylord.
It was Lake Fenton who struck first, with quarterback Carsen Lewis leading the Blue Devils down the field before capping the drive with a seven-yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 lead.
Gaylord had a chance to answer before halftime, but despite moving the ball back deep into Lake Fenton territory, a field goal attempt left the Blue Devils scoreless through two quarters despite two trips to the red area.
Return assembly
After halftime, it looked like more of the same was expected as Gaylord’s first drive ended with a punt, while Lake Fenton’s first drive ended with another Lewis pass, giving the Blue Devils a lead commanding 14-0.
Something had to change and someone had to instigate the change. Gaylord can give credit to Russell Hush for this one.
Their run had a number of key plays, but none perhaps more important than his 69-yard punt return to give Gaylord the ball at the 28-yard line and, more importantly, new life. He helped the offense move the final 28 yards down the field as Gaylord got on the scoreboard via a sneak attack by quarterback Caleb Aungst.
Trailing 14-7 in the fourth quarter, the defense stepped up in clutch positions, twice. After an initial stop, a quick fumble put the ball back in the hands of Lake Fenton in Gaylord territory as time expired. However, the defense stood tall, forcing another punt, but an unfortunate bounce let Lake Fenton down the ball at the one-yard line.
With time not on their side, Gaylord’s offense was forced to go 99 yards if they wanted any chance to win.
That’s exactly what they did.
Aungst led the masterful drive, completing passes of eight yards, three yards and 15 yards before the eventual 34-yard touchdown to Ty Bensinger that would have seemingly tied the game.
However, the drama was not over; after sending his kicker out first, head coach DJ Szymoniak took a break and after a conversation, the offense took the field to attempt a game-winning, two-point conversion.
Szymoniak revealed after the match that the decision was not made by him.
“The players called it,” Szymoniak said. “We were going to hit it, but I saw the intensity in my captains eyes, and they said, ‘Coach, we got this.’
They made good on that promise, with Russell Hush forcing his way into the end zone for a 15-14 lead with less than a minute remaining.
Big time players make big plays
The game wasn’t over, though, and a Lake Fenton punt return in Gaylord territory made a last-second field goal that much more realistic. However, they would have to find a way to get past a Gaylord defense that came up big in the second half.
After a first down Lake Fenton closer, Gaylord needed a leader to step up, and that’s exactly what they got in linebacker and 2024 prospect Brady Pretzlaff getting in front of Carsen Lewis’ pass, catching interception and sealing the comeback win for Gaylord.
“Brady is a special young man and he’s been working on this for a long time,” Szymoniak said. “He has a lot of work to do, but I have no doubt he will do it.”
Statistics
Caleb Aungst finished with six completions for 78 yards and a TD along with nine carries for 37 yards and another TD. Russell Hush led the rushing attack, carrying the ball 17 times for 82 yards. Ty Bensinger had five catches for 60 yards and the critical, late TD while Hush added one catch for 18 yards.
Defensively, it was Brady Pretzlaff, who led the way with 10.5 tackles and an impressive INT. Other key contributors included Bensinger (8.5 touches), Riley Hush (3.5 touches), Gus James (2.5 touches) and Keaton Abraham (2.5 touches).
The rushing game was won by Gaylord, racking up 125 yards to Lake Fenton’s 43, but the home Blue Devils ran the ball more effectively, finishing with 20 receptions for 234 yards.
Gaylord starts the season 1-0 for the first time since 2019. Next up is the Blue Devils home opener against Kingsley on Thursday, September 1st.
