Sobieske Throws 7 TDs as Muskies Close out Season with Victory
Lakeland University Quarterback Lane Sobieski tied a school record, throwing for seven touchdowns as the Muskies defeated Rockford on Saturday, 70-21. At one point, Lakeland scored on six straight possessions. The senior quarterback threw for 356 yards and Gabriel Maynes rushed for 109 yards and two scores. Both Devin Martin and Chris Crawford had over 100 yards receiving.
Rockford took the lead on their second possession of the game, going 55 yards in nine plays before Jaelen Ray scored from 2 yards out to make it 7-0.
The Muskies responded right away, needing just 1:18 and five plays before tying the score. Sobieski got the drive going with a 9-yard completion to Martin than rushed for 4 yards to give his team a first down. After a 31-yard completion to Crawford, Maynes took the ball, racing 24 yards for the score to tie the game at seven.
The Regents looked to respond themselves, moving 53 yards to the Muskies 9-yard line where they faced fourth down and goal. The team opted to go for a field goal, but Lakeland was able to block the attempt, keeping the score tied.
Back the other direction the Muskies went, moving 80 yards in 2:19 before taking the lead. The Sobieski-Crawford combo was instrumental on the drive, as the two hooked up for 17 yards and 32 more to move the ball to the Rockford 29. The driver looked like it would stall, however, as Lakeland faced fourth and three at the 22. That is when Maynes came up big again, not only recording the first down, but going the distance for his second touchdown of the day.
Things got worse for Rockford when the team fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Markese Collins recovered at the Regents three. This look like an opportunity for Lakeland to put this game away, but the Rockford defense stiffened, moving the ball back to the six where the Muskies faced fourth and goal. That is when Sobieski found his favorite target of the day, connecting with Crawford for 6 yards to make it 21-7.
The Regents were forced to punt on their next possession, giving Lakeland the ball at their own 41. Sobieski made short work of the drive, finding Martin for 59 yards and a touchdown to make it 28-7.
Lakeland had responded to the Rockford touchdown with 28 unanswered points, but the Regents were finally able to break the streak when they capped off a nine play, 60-yard drive with Ray connecting with Emani Johnson for 21 yards to make it 28-14.
That was as close as the Regents would make the score, however. Maynes and Sobieski then took the team on an impressive 16 play, 91-yard drive that resulted in a Sobieski to Quinton Wilson 5-yard touchdown to make it 35-14. Maynes carried the ball five times on the drive, recording 27 yards. Sobieski completed four passes and rushed for 10 more yards.
Lakeland scored on their sixth straight possession, moving 62 yards in four plays, a drive that took just 38 seconds. Sobieski found Martin for 16 yards to start the drive, then followed with back-to-back carries, recording 15 yards and 11 yards down to the Rockford 20. The senior quarterback spread the wealth, connecting with Corinthians Jones for a 20-yard touchdown to make it 42-14. That would be the score heading into the half.
The Regents showed a lot of heart, refusing to quit. The team took the second half kickoff and moved 86 yards in nine plays to cut the deficit to 21. Kyle Thompson scored from 5 yards out to make it 42-21 and Rockford looked like they would have an opportunity to get back into this game when they sacked Sobieski on fourth and seven on the next possession for the Muskies, giving them the ball at the Lakeland 35. However, Jayson Wilder crushed the hopes of the Regents when he intercepted a Ray pass, his fourth interception of the season.
After a wild return that put the ball at the Lakeland six, the team was forced to punt, giving the Regents the ball at their own 34. The defense stepped up once again, as Charles Parker was dropped for a 2-yard loss on fourth and one, giving the Muskies the ball at the Rockford 41. Eight plays later, Sobieski connected with Xaviar Thomas for 17 yards to make it 49-21.
On their next possession, Lakeland scored again, making it 56-21. Sobieski completed three passes on the drive, including a 19-yard strike to Crawford for his sixth TD pass of the game.
The Muskies were not done, however. This time it would be the defense that would create another big play, as Leondre Townsend forced a fumble. Matt Glogowski recovered, then scampered 51 yards for the score to extend the lead to 42.
On their next possession, Sobieski completed his record-setting day, leading the team on an eight play, 67-yard drive to make it a 70-21 game. The quarterback had a big 18-yard carry on third and 13 to keep the drive alive, then found Caleb Butler for 20 yards and the score. It was the sixth receiver the senior quarterback threw to for a touchdown on the day, four of whom caught their first career touchdown. Sobieski completed 21 of 38 passes for 356 yards.
Martin had seven catches for 131 yards and a score and Crawford had five receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns. The defense was incredibly impressive on this day, recording a sack, two interceptions, and forcing three fumbles. They also had 17 pass breakups, led by Wilder and Andrew Cardiel, who each had five. Justin McMahon led the team with 17 tackles.
The Lakeland University Muskies finished 3-7.
by Robert Pannier