SARATOGA – An intense four-quarter battle between the Lingle-Fort Laramie (LFL) Doggers and Saratoga Panthers to host a playoff game went into overtime on Friday, October 24.
The scoreboard favored the Panthers, 20-0, midway into the second quarter.
In an impressive comeback, the Doggers completed three back-to-back touchdown pass plays between senior quarterback Brady Cook and senior Anthony Arnusch to place LFL ahead, 21-20, at halftime.
The Doggers came out and dominated the third quarter. A scrappy LFL defense shut out Saratoga while the Doggers offense scored another touchdown to lead, 28-20, as the fourth quarter began.
Saratoga took advantage of a turnover by LFL in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter to reach the end zone and convert the PAT-2.
Regulation ended in a 28-28 deadlock. Saratoga ultimately outscored LFL in overtime, 8-6, for a 36-34 victory in a heartbreaker for the Doggers.
“That was a tough game to swallow,” coach Brandon Gifford said. “We came out pretty flat to start the game and fell behind early. Credit to our kids who have a great knack at just playing football. They made plays and put themselves in a position to win the game down the stretch. We just made too many mistakes and turned the ball over in key moments.”
LFL finished the regular season with a 5-3 overall record and a 3-2 conference record to clinch the No. 2 seed going into the playoffs. The Doggers travel to play Big Piney on Friday, October 31 at 1 p.m.
“We are moving forward and are excited for our matchup at Big Piney,” Gifford added. “If we can clean up our mistakes and protect the football, we can come away with the upset.”
Quarter by quarter
Saratoga got on the scoreboard first with three touchdowns – one in the first quarter and two early in the second.
LFL took possession following the Panthers’ third touchdown and steadily advanced the ball down the field with passes to junior Nathan Lira and senior Brayden Posten. Carries by sophomore Lincoln Speckner and senior Colt Brown placed LFL at Saratoga’s seven-yard line.
Cook launched the ball to Arnusch for a seven-yard touchdown pass play. Arnusch kicked the ball between the goalposts for the extra point.
A touchback by Arnusch set Saratoga up at its own 20-yard line on the Panthers’ ensuing possession. Tackles by senior Colter McFarlin and junior Kaleb Smith grounded down Saratoga’s O-line. The Panthers fumbled on a snap and Speckner recovered the ball for LFL.
Cook wound up another pass to Arnusch in the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown. Arnusch made good on an extra point and LFL closed Saratoga’s lead to a single possession, 21-14.
The Doggers D-line put up a formidable wall on Saratoga’s ensuing drive with tackles by Brown, Smith, sophomore DeAngelo Gann and Colter McFarlin.
Saratoga turned over possession with less than a minute remaining on the clock.
Cook delivered a third touchdown pass to Arnusch to the tune of 23 yards with seconds remaining on the clock. Arnusch kicked in the crucial extra point and the teams headed for the locker room with the Doggers leading, 21-20.
LFL returned in the second half to score a touchdown in the third quarter. Brown rushed 11 yards into the end zone for the touchdown and Arnusch kicked in the extra point.
Meanwhile, the LFL defense shut out Saratoga in the third quarter. Stops included a tackles by Brown, Smith, Lira, Gann, Colter McFarlin and freshman Gaige McFarlin.
The scoreboard favored the Doggers, 28-20, as the final quarter commenced. Saratoga ultimately took possession late in the fourth quarter to score a touchdown and force a tie.
LFL posted 160 yards rushing against Saratoga. Speckner led the O-line with 99 yards rushing on 11 carries. Brown collected 52 yards rushing on 11 carries for one touchdown.
Cook completed 13 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. Arnusch was on the receiving end for 105 yards, six catches and three touchdowns. Brown caught the ball twice for 52 yards.
Sophomore Dutch Ogburn kicked off for the Doggers twice for 85 yards.
On defense, Brown and Smith both tallied 10 tackles. Colter McFarlin contributed eight tackles, Speckner five with four by Lira, Gaige McFarlin and Gann. Smith made three tackles for loss .
Gann also recorded one sack and one forced fumble. Arnusch broke up two passes with Posten and Lira breaking up one pass each. Speckner recovered one fumble.
