Batavia Bulldogs Dominate Lake Park with Ground Game Victory

Batavia Bulldogs showcased their dominance in the DuKane Conference with a decisive 42-21 victory over the Lake Park Lancers on September 29, 2023, in Roselle. The Bulldogs’ powerful ground game was spearheaded by seniors Preston Brummel and Henry Hahn, who combined for an impressive 245 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

Batavia’s head coach Dennis Piron emphasized their strategy of establishing the run, which proved vital throughout the match. “It’s something that we know that we can do,” Piron stated. He praised the team’s blockers, noting that they create the necessary push to make the running game effective.

The Bulldogs (3-1, 2-0 DuKane Conference) quickly set the tone, scoring on their opening possession. Brummel was instrumental, carrying the ball downfield and setting up the offense for success. He finished the game with 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns. “The key for us was for the fullbacks to just hit every linebacker they can, take them out of the game,” Brummel explained.

Following a quick three-and-out from Lake Park (2-2, 0-2), Batavia continued to apply pressure. Hahn contributed significantly with tough carries, culminating in a 14-yard touchdown that extended the Bulldogs’ lead. He concluded the game with 120 yards rushing and three touchdowns, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Bulldogs’ strategy. Brummel added, “We just saw that they weren’t adjusting to the run. We just kind of played what worked and kept pounding the ball.”

As the first half progressed, Lake Park’s defense sought to regain control. Senior linebacker Joey Michelini led an aggressive pass rush that kept Batavia’s junior quarterback, Michael Vander Luitgaren, under pressure. Piron acknowledged the challenge, saying, “We were a little disappointed in our ability to kind of keep people off of our quarterback. We’re going to have to figure that out going into the next week.”

Despite Lake Park’s defensive efforts, they were unable to contain Batavia’s momentum. Michelini made a crucial fourth-down sack, giving Lake Park a chance to narrow the score. However, a tipped pass by Batavia’s standout senior lineman Gavin Pecor led to a significant interception by senior Saimarr Howell. Howell reflected on the play, stating, “It got batted, so I just went for the ball… I came down with it, and I just tried to get to the end zone.” He nearly succeeded, carrying the ball 44 yards to the Lake Park 1-yard line, setting up another touchdown run for Brummel.

Lake Park responded swiftly, with quarterback George Tzamouranis connecting with senior wide receiver Emanuele Carrozzoli for a 79-yard touchdown on the very next play. This brought the score to 21-7, maintaining a two-touchdown gap at halftime. Lake Park coach Chris Kirkpatrick expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating, “We were in a two-score game against one of the best teams in the state.”

As the second half unfolded, Batavia relied heavily on their formidable running game to secure the win. Coach Piron noted the significance of their upcoming match against St. Charles North, stating, “That’s turned into just a great league rivalry for us year in, year out, and we’re excited.” With a three-game road stretch ahead, both teams prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in the competitive DuKane Conference.