Ray Liu, of Imlay City, looks to shed an Algonac tackle during Friday’s BWAC encounter. Photo by Rod Soule
IMLAY CITY — The Imlay City varsity football team registered a 34-14 triumph against host Algonac in a Blue Water Area Conference encounter last Friday night.
With the outcome, Imlay City improves to 1-1 versus BWAC rivals and overall. Algonac slips to 0-2 this season and as far as league clashes are concerned.
“We put together a full four quarters tonight,” Imlay City Coach Brian Tresnak said. “I’m proud of the team effort in all three phases of the game,” he noted.
“We need to work on making fewer mental mistakes and stop beating ourselves. We are just focusing on getting better each week.”
In Friday’s encounter, Imlay City took a 7-0 edge after one quarter was done.
The middle two quarters saw Imlay City generate 21 total points and Algonac manage 14, leaving them ahead 28-14.
They then outscored Algonac 6-0 the rest of the way, finishing off a 34-14 triumph.
Imlay City produced their winning 34-point total aided by a Cristian Rojas 25-yard touchdown run (followed by a successful extra point kick courtesy of Wyatt Luther); a Cristian Rojas 61-yard touchdown run (followed by an accurate extra point boot from Luther); a Cristian Rojas 10-yard touchdown run (followed by a successful extra point kick courtesy of Luther); a Dakota Sandzik 62-yard touchdown run (followed by an accurate extra point boot from Luther); and a two-yard touchdown run by Aaron Evely.
On the night, Jack Kaplan completed two of seven pass plays for 68 yards as Imlay City’s quarterback. He threw one interception along the way.
His successful tosses went to two different targets. That group consisted of Chris Cezik (one catch for 55 yards) and Sandzik (one reception for 13 yards).
The Imlay City ground attack chewed up 312 yards of territory on 39 totes.
Individually, Cristian Rojas (11 rushes for 129 yards), Sandzik (104 yards on eight totes) and Evely (eight rushes for 79 yards) proved Imlay City’s toughest ballcarriers to contain.
Luther (two solos and 16 assists), Lance Wolford (five solos and 11 assists), Julian Rojas (one solo and 12 assists) and Cristian Rojas (11 assists) paced Imlay City’s defense. Ray Liu (eight assists), Brady Vanderploeg and Cezik (one solo and seven assists each) backed their efforts.
The Imlay City defense also registered a pair of takeaways. Cristian Rojas and Ray Liu (a fumble recovery apiece) furnished those.
Imlay City returns to action this Friday when it entertains Armada. The clash, between Blue Water Area Conference rivals, is slated to get underway at 7 p.m.
Kevin Kissane has been covering high school sports for the Tri-City Times since 1985. When not standing on a field or court with his camera and notepad, he enjoys golf, travel and family. Kevin is a 1980 graduate of Capac High School, and is also a grad of St. Clair Community College and earned a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University.
