LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Despite the defense and special teams’ best efforts, a sputtering offense couldn’t keep up, as the Shepherd Rams ran away with a 27-10 win over the Bald Eagles. Lock Haven (3-3) falls back to .500 following a loss to the No. 25 ranked Shepherd Rams. The Haven also drops to 1-2 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East play.
Shepherd shut down the run game early forcing quarterback Danny Sanchez to throw. When Sanchez was later knocked out of the game, the Bald Eagles offense looked lifeless. With the convincing win, the Rams improved to 5-1 (2-1 PSAC East).
The first drive of the game looked promising as Sanchez led the Bald Eagles offense all the way down to the Rams 7-yard line. Sanchez found receiver Marquis Perry in the end zone; however, the touchdown was swiftly wiped out by a holding penalty. Kicker Brett Zachman was able to boot a 32-yard field goal to give Lock Haven a 3-0 lead. That lone field goal would end up being the only score the Haven offense would be able to muster.
Shepherd QB Seth Morgan seemed to effortlessly drive the Rams downfield. James Bozek made a field goal to tie the game 3-3.
The second quarter was all Shepherd as the Rams scored two touchdowns and held the Bald Eagles scoreless. Morgan found receiver Barry Hill for a 53-yard TD. Later in the quarter, Morgan cut through The Haven defense and running back Jordan Barnett capped off the drive with a 1-yard TD.
With only one minute to go in the half, Lock Haven needed to respond. The Bald Eagles hopes were quickly dashed, as with just 49 seconds to go, Sanchez was knocked out of the game with an injury. Any hope of a comeback would have to come via the arm of back-up QB Kyle Zajack.
Shepherd started off the second half on fire, marching 82-yards down the field and putting themselves up 24-3. Lock Haven wide receiver Chandler Baker attempted to provide a spark, as he took a kickoff 98-yards to the house to close the gap, making it 24-10. Both teams would go scoreless the rest of the quarter.
In the fourth, Lock Haven needed Zajack to step up, but unfortunately it was not meant to be, as the Rams picked off Zajack three times and completely shut down the run game. Cody Romano and the Bald Eagle defense did their best to keep them in the game, but with the offense unable to move the ball, the Rams kept the game out of reach. Shepherd added three more points thanks to Bozek, as the Rams would win the game 27-10.
Romano and the Haven defense had a standout performance on Saturday. Romano finished with 13 tackles, 10 of which were solo tackles.
When asked about the defensive performance, head coach Dan Mulrooney seemed very proud of his unit.
“The defense played incredible,” Mulrooney said. “How many times right down here on the 20-yard line and getting away with no points. At the end of the day we really battled and that was really cool to see. The progress being made in this program is incredible. To go from 72-7 to [27-10]. We made a lot of strides and we’re proud to do so.”
UP NEXT:
Lock Haven now has to move on and look ahead to their interdivisional match up at Bloomsburg on Oct. 14 at 2 p.m.
Ryan States is in his 3rd year at Lock Haven University, and his second with the Eagle Eye. He is a Journalism major with intentions to minor in Sports Management. With his never-ending passion for all things sports, he wishes to pursue a career as a sports writer for a major outlet. When not watching sports, he can be found playing video games, hanging out with friends at the REC. Or you can find him helping out in the booth during LHU sporting events. His biggest hope while at Lock Haven is to be able to positively contribute to LHU sports in any way he can.
