Algoma Grinds Out Comeback Win
Wolves rally for 30-28 victory over Sevastopol
Lane Cochart knew he wasn’t going to be able to raise his right arm Friday to help the Algoma football team.
The senior quarterback instead found other ways to lift the Wolves.
Cochart used his feet to score a touchdown late in the fourth quarter and then his instincts to intercept a 2-point conversion attempt as Algoma rallied for a 30-28 victory over Sevastopol in a thrilling Across The Bay Conference game at Perry Field.
“Winning at home is always a good feeling, especially coming off a loss,” Cochart said.
It was definitely a different feeling for Cochart to be on the sidelines when Algoma was on offense Friday against the Pioneers.
The 6-foot-2, 187-pounder sprained the AC joint in his right shoulder during a loss at N.E.W. Lutheran/Oneida Nation last week.
Cochart could play inside linebacker like normal against Sevastopol, but was relegated to the sideline on offense as senior Parker Lischka stepped in under center.
Lischka, who is normally Cochart’s top target at receiver, put together a strong outing taking snaps, rushing for a touchdown and throwing for a pair of scores to junior Cayden Neuzil and senior Aiden Moen.
Moen’s 47-yard touchdown reception on the first play of the fourth quarter, and Lischka’s 2-point conversion run that followed, allowed the Wolves to tie the game at 22-22.
Algoma’s defense then came away with a clutch fourth-down stop deep in its own territory, as junior Pete Ritchie stood up the Sevastopol ball carrier at the line of scrimmage.
What followed was a 13-play, 74-yard scoring drive capped by a 1-yard run by Cochart, who entered at quarterback for the first time earlier in the possession.
“You could tell Parker was getting a little gassed with running consistently,” Algoma coach Wade Vandervest said. “With Lane, it was like, can you give us a couple plays on offense to get the positive yards that we need to keep moving those chains.”
The drive took 5 minutes, 39 seconds off the clock and consisted of all runs. Lischka rushed in the 2-point conversion attempt for what turned out to be the deciding points with 2:05 remaining.
The Pioneers responded quickly, though, to score a touchdown with 37 remaining. However, Cochart stepped in front of the pass on the potential game-tying 2-point attempt.
“It was definitely a statement pounding the rock like that,” Cochart said about his team’s go-ahead touchdown drive.
Along with Lishcka, senior Joey Cabino got a lot of work on the ground Friday and also came up with an interception.
Algoma (4-2) plays at Gillett next week before closing out its season at home against Suring.
Coming into the season Vandervest knew he had a lot of experience among his perimeter players, and he’s been pleased with the improvement among his younger interior linemen.
“It’s a good, quality win for our guys,” Vandervest said. “It’s a matter of can we just keep improving, keep improving, keep improving so we can take those next steps.”