LIMA — The Lucas Cubs made the 200-mile round trip Friday to Lima and a gritty Lima Central Catholic squad led by senior quarterback Carson Parker found a way to ruin the Cubs’ journey. Parker’s late touchdown run and interception sealed the Thunderbirds’ 37-24 victory.
From the opening kickoff each offense displayed that it was going to be a shootout. Lucas struck first less than three minutes in when Zach Diehl found the end zone for the first time. LCC swiftly answered after Carson Parker connected with Billy Bourk on a 17-yard scoring pass. Matthew Quatman’s extra point try was blocked; Lucas led 7-6 at the midway point of the first quarter.
Diehl found pay dirt on the ensuing drive after the Cubs were able to milk over eight minutes off the clock and increase their lead to six.
“The offenses controlled the line of scrimmage in the first half.” LCC head coach Scott Palte said. “Lucas was able to do whatever they wanted to on offense, our guys made the adjustments for a great team win.”
Paltes’ Birds began to lock in before building a 20-13 advantage at the break.
Parker continued his dominating evening; Mikey Quatman hauled in a 25-yard touchdown. Following a Cubs three-and-out, Parker found Bourk again just before the break.
“We were able to pick them apart and throw everything at them.” Carson Parker had to say. “Our receivers made catches and moves after the play, I just had to get the ball to them. They did the rest.”
The momentum Lima Central Catholic was able to take into the locker room was erased immediately once the second half kicked off. Aidan Culler skipped his onside kick attempt off a T-Bird and Grayson Jackson fell on-top of the ball at LCC’s 45-yard line.
Four plays later, the Cubs were dancing in the end zone and the game was tied. Dan Hockensmith rumbled two yards into end zone, Culler’s extra point try tied it once again.
LCC continued to weather the storm and prove to be nearly unstoppable. Matthew Quatman joined the scoring frenzy to push his T-Birds back on top on a 10-yard touchdown scamper. Quatman’s PAT try was wide left, LCC led 26-20 with 1:46 in the third quarter remaining.
The ensuing kickoff saw one of Lucas’ top performers go down, Zach Diehl left with a leg injury and the Cubs had to search for a new spark plug. Tim Daley exploded for a trio of double digit runs before Grayson Jackson scrambled 33 yards for the score and the T-Birds trailed once again.
Once again, that deficit did not last last. LCC continued to scratch and claw for the victory.
Carson Parker engineered a four-minute drive and finished the game winning drive on a one-yard run. Only ahead by five, the Birds elected to go for two points to make it a one score game. Parker’s version of the “Tebow pop pass” connected with Caden Falke.
From start to finish Carson Parker made plays for Lima Central Catholic.
“Our skill players played really well tonight. We had some guys really step up for us tonight.” Palte said. “I am just really proud of our guys tonight. They made plays when needed, and we beat a really good team tonight.”
To cap off his four-touchdown day, Parker intercepted Grayson Jackson’s pass at midfield and the Thunderbirds could finally breathe and go into victory formation.
Carson Parker said. “My guy ran a speed route and I saw the quarterbacks’ eyes come to my side of the field and I was able to sit right where he threw it.
(4-3) Lucas will host Plymouth next Friday night. (4-3) Lima Central Catholic continues its five-game home stand to end the season when Richmond Heights makes the trip to Lima Stadium the same night.
Game summary
Score by quarters:
Lucas 7 6 14 0 – 27
LCC 6 14 6 7 – 34
Scoring:
(L) 4 yard run Zach Diehl (Culler EXP Good)
(LCC) 17 yard pass Billy Bourk from Carson Parker (Quatman EXP blocked)
(L) 3 yard run Zach Diehl (Culler EXP Good)
(LCC) 25 yard pass Mikey Quatman (Quatman EXP Good)
(LCC) 3 yard pass Billy Bourke from Carson Parker (Quatman EXP Good)
(L) 2 yard run Don Hockensmith (Culler EXP Good)
(LCC) 10 yard run Matthew Oakman (Quatman EXP No Good)
(L) 33 yard run Grayson Jackson (Culler EXP Good)
(LCC) 1 yard run Carson Parker (2pt pass Parker to Caden Falke)
Nate Stidham wrote this story for LimaScores.com. Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
