Philadelphia defense slides past Lake, 7-6

By By Robbie Robertson/EMG sports writer
October 11, 2003
LAKE Philadelphia coach Mike Brown was worried about playing at Lake's Death Valley.
He was right to worry.
In a defensive struggle, Philadelphia used two key special team plays as the Tornadoes held off Lake 7-6 in a hard-fought 5-2A victory Friday night.
The Tornadoes survived a scare in 5-2A play for the second straight week to improve to 5-2 and 2-0 in 5-2A play. Lake falls to 2-5 and 0-2 in 5-2A play and has lost three straight.
The Tornadoes were kept out of the end zone on the offensive side but two special teams plays lifted Philly to the win. The first came in the first quarter. The Tornadoes had driven to the Lake 1 and faced a fourth and goal.
The Hornet defense held with Maurice Sanders and Terrell Ricks tackling Philadelphia's Desmond Murray at the goal line.
But Lake was forced to punt and Philadelphia blocked Jason Judge's punt.
Tyrone Bobbitt recovered the kick in the end zone with 4:03 left in the first. Porter Jordan's PAT was good and Philly led 7-0.
Philadelphia had an opportunity to score just before the half but missed a 33-yard field goal.
Lake didn't get its offense going until late in the fourth and this time it was Philadelphia making the special team miscue.
With 6:52 left in the game, Lake's Leon Fountain recovered a muffed punt at the Philadelphia 46.
After a 15-yard personal foul on Philadelphia, Lake's Joseph Hunt hit Ivon Hickmon on a 20-yard touchdown pass with 4:04 left in the game. Hunt's PAT attempt was blocked and Philly held a 7-6 lead.
Philadelphia then gained three first downs to run out the clock.
On the night, Philadelphia had 199 yards of total offense with 11 first downs. Dustin Crockett led the Tornadoes with 81 yards on 13 carries. Jordan was 5-of-8 passing for 70 yards.
Lake had 157 yards of total offense with 87 in the air and 70 on the ground. Greg Sanders had 46 yards rushing to lead Lake while Hunt was 8-of-21 passing for 87 yards.