Photo credit: Darrek Graap

The Lone Tree football team looks to gather momentum and their second win of the year when they host Iowa Valley Friday. The Lions turned a road trip to Chicagoland a week ago into a business trip, dispatching Parkview Christian Academy 54-16 in a game that was never close.

The Lions rode a sterling six touchdown performance from quarterback Ethan Bockelman, this week’s JET Physical Therapy Athlete of the Week. The Lone Tree signal caller finished with 293 yards on 25 carries. Maddox Jondle and Jader Sanchez also found the end zone on the ground with one score through the air when Bockelman hooked up with Emmet Burke on a 51 yard scoring toss.

Iowa Valley also opened their year with a week 0 win, taking down local rival BGM 48-30. A big second quarter pushed the Tigers over the top, posting 26 points to 16 for the Bears. The Tigers were outgained in total 385 to 354 including 249 to 145 through the air, but won the ground game 209 to 136. The turnover battle was also good to the Tigers who got a Garrett Hoyt fumble recover and Caleb Haack interception. Nolan Kriegel was eight of 16 through the air for 145 yards and a 16 yard score to Ian Smith. Kriegel also did work with his legs including 29 carries for 140 yards and four touchdowns. Dawson Smith added a pair of touchdown runs. This week, Bockelman, joined KCII Sports to talk about what the Lions need to do to sustain success. “Definitely, need to be able to continue to run the ball. Keep up our great blocking. Defensively, continue to play fast with lots of energy. Hopefully we can get the passing game going so we can have a balanced offense.”

Lone Tree has beaten the Tigers in back-to-back seasons by 22-0 and 42-40 scores. Action starts at 7p.m. Friday at Lone Tree High School.