BY YANEEK SMITH, BEACON CONTRIBUTOR

DANBURY TWP. — Like many of its games this season, Danbury’s matchup with Climax-Scotts (MI) went down to the wire, but the Lakers were unable to pull off the win, falling to the Panthers, 28-22.

The Lakers (3-5, 1-1 Northern 8 Football Conference) led 8-6 at halftime following a 2-yard touchdown run by Cade McCarthy, which was followed up by a two-point conversion. C-S scored two touchdowns, one in the third quarter and another in the fourth to go ahead, 20-8.

Danbury scored a touchdown on a pass from Jacob Mischler to Guy Maltese to cut the deficit to 20-16, and attempted an onside kick, but the Panthers recovered and scored again to make it 28-16. The Lakers responded by scoring a touchdown on the ensuing possession, but could not recover the onside kick and C-S ran out the clock.

“It was a good defensive game, as we went up 8-6 at halftime. No one scored in the first quarter. In the second half, they scored in the third quarter with a touchdown with 20 seconds left, which put them up 14-8. That put them up and we scored two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter. It was back and forth in the second half. It was a good defensive game for both teams,” said Danbury coach Keith Mora.

“They scored about halfway through the fourth quarter, put us up two scores, and we were able to score, and had to hurry up. We got it to 20-16, and kicked an onside kick, but they recovered then scored a touchdown. We scored in the fourth quarter and got the two-point conversion, but did not recover the onside kick, and they ran out the clock.”

Mora credited Elijah Hatfield, Danny Harris and D.J. Webster for their play defensively.

On Saturday, Danbury travels to Toledo to face Toledo Christian. If the Lakers beat the Eagles, they will tie Toledo Christian and St. Mary CC for the league title.