By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
LUXEMBURG — Luxemburg-Casco junior running back Evan Dorner hasn’t had a ton of carries the past four weeks.
With starter Isaac Vandenbush out after rushing for six touchdowns last week versus Southern Door, Dorner rushed for more than 230 yards and three touchdowns in the Spartans 34-7 victory over Seymour in a non-conference football game Oct. 23 at Luxemburg-Casco High School.
“We’ve not been stout up front against the run,” said Matt Molle, Seymour head coach. “It’s been a problem from week one. That’s on us. I’m not taking away anything from our opponents — we have to get better.”
The Thunder were held to 129 yards of total offense.
Much of the total was on a fourth quarter 66-yard jaunt by tailback Carson Molle.
Meanwhile, L-C racked up 376 yards, with a majority of that coming on the ground.
Seymour appeared to be in good shape after the Spartans bobbled the opening kickoff and had to start deep in their own territory.
After a quick three-and-out and having to punt into a stiff wind, the Thunder set up shop at the Spartans’ 31-yard line to start their first drive.
After getting inside the red-zone, two false start penalties forced Seymour backward.
On fourth and 14, quarterback Peyton VanDeHei’s pass was just out of reach of wide receiver Tyler Lesatz’s hands in the end zone.
The Spartans used the shift in momentum to drive 74 yards in nine plays, as Dorner ran it in from four yards to give L-C a 7-0 lead with 3:51 left in the opening stanza.
Things went from bad to worse for the Thunder on their next drive when VanDeHei’s option pitch found the turf, and the Spartans quickly pounced on the loose ball.
The home team needed only seven plays on its next possession, as the ground game continued to churn out yards.
Dorner capped off his second touchdown of the night from four yards out to give the Spartans a two-touchdown advantage.
After an exchange of punts in the second quarter, L-C went on a seven-and-a-half minute drive, which ended with Dorner scoring the last of his three touchdowns and a 21-0 lead with 30 seconds left until halftime.
Quarterback Owen Deprez and running back Ryan Routhieaux added third and fourth quarter touchdowns, respectively, to give the Spartans a commanding 34-0 lead with just over four minutes remaining.
The Thunder’s final possession of the evening produced points.
On second and 10 from its own 31, the Seymour coaching staff called a delay draw to Molle, who finally sprung for a big gainer down to the Spartans 4-yard line.
Two plays later, VanDeHei called his own number to put the Thunder on the scoreboard.
“We have to get first downs to get some offensive rhythm moving forward,” added Molle. “We’ve constantly been going three-and-out and not been able to string drives together. When teams play ball control, it’s hard to get the ball to our skilled players for extended plays out in space.”
Seymour has scored only 48 points in its five games.
The Thunder will take its 1-4 mark back home next week when they entertain the New London Bulldogs.
Box score:
Seymour—0, 0, 0, 7—7
L-C—14, 7, 7, 6—34