By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Jackson — Three weeks into the season, this was a one-win team struggling to find balance on offense and wondering just where the 2016 season was headed.
Four weeks later, well, all seems just fine with the Lumen Christi football program.
The Titans picked up their fourth win in as many tries Friday, starting quick and never easing off the gas in a 49-14 win at Western.
“We took care of business,” coach Herb Brogan said afterwards. “And truthfully, I thought it was our best defensive effort of the year. Out defensive coaches did a great job getting our guys ready, and then they went out and executed.”
It was the offense that got things going, though, as the Titans took the opening drive and marched 76 yards, needing just one pass, before Kyle Minder scored on a 3-yard run.
Roughly four minutes later Troy Kutcha got involved, firing a screen pass to Jacob Lathers.
Lathers did the rest on a 37-yard touchdown reception for a 14-0 lead after one quarter.
Western made things interesting at the 7:50 mark of the second, though, when Steele Fortress hit Luke Raczkowski on a wide-open 56-yard strike to make it 14-7.
But Lumen simply took over from there.
After sitting out the first quarter due to a coach’s decision, as Brogan put it, Bo Bell entered the game in the second and left an immediate impact.
On his second carry he ran for 50 yards, setting up a 1-yard scoring run by Kutcha.
Three minutes later Bell scored on a 10-yard run, and then capped the first half with a 3-yard touchdown run with 10.5 seconds to play.
By halftime, Minder had rushed for 98 yards and Bell had 79 while the Titans led 35-7.
“I think we showed tonight we’re a little more than a one-dimensional team,” Brogan said. “We have some other weapons.”
Kutcha hit Dayton Keller on a 16-yard strike late in the third for a 42-7 lead.
Fortress, who was strong all night, scored Western’s second-and-final touchdown with 33 seconds to play in the third on a 3-yard run.
Just 56 seconds into the fourth, Lathers capped the scoring, hauling in a 70-yard touchdown pass from, Kutcha.
Kutcha had the best game of the season for himself, completing 9-of-11 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns.
Minder led the rushing attack with 107 yards on 14 carries, while Bell finished with 94 yards and two scores on 12 carries.
Lathers had four catches for 127 yards and two scores.
Fotress carried the Western attack, rushing for 83 yards on 22 carries and passing for 193 yards while completing 13-of-19 passes.
He was intercepted once and fumbled once.
“He is a great, great threat,” Brogan said of the junior quarterback. “He can hurt you so many ways.”
Western, now 1-6, takes on Northwest (0-7) Friday night.
Lumen (5-2) can officially clinch a playoff spot Friday against Pennfield (4-3).
“Pennfield is dangerous, especially if we get too satisfied with ourselves,” Brogan said. “We have to respect what a team like that can do.”
Brogan said he thinks the five wins his team has is good enough to get into the postseason, but added how much is still on the line in the final two weeks.
“Our goal now is the fact we have a chance to tie for the league championship,” he said. “We’re also still playing for a possible home game in the playoffs. I think if we win seven, there’s a chance we host in the first round. There’s a lot still to play for.”
Lumen beat Pennfield 28-8 last year and is 6-0 all-time against the Panthers.
Pennfield kept its playoff hopes alive Friday night with a 28-7 victory over Hastings.
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.
Visit http://lovedefinedbook.weebly.com for more information.