By Joe St. Henry
Review Contributing Writer
Playing in honor of his best friend’s grandparents, Lake Orion senior Max Horneffer scored a school record five touchdowns to lead the host Dragons to a thrilling 52-35 victory over Oxford in the second annual Pink Out football game last Friday.
Horneffer led a balanced attack that generated 426 yards of offense against the Wildcats. He ran for 60 yards and scored four rushing touchdowns, plus another 109 yards receiving and a scoring reception. Lake Orion’s running attack also included junior Dylan Frank’s 72 yards and a touchdown, senior Danny White’s 36 yards and a score, plus Chris Wilson’s 55 yards on the ground.
The Dragon’s rushing success was complemented by a strong passing performance from junior quarterback Johnathan Marshall. He completed 9-16 passes on the night for 189 yards and a touchdown. A number of his completions came at critical times during the game, including the Dragons’ two fourth quarter scoring drives that sealed the win.
But Horneffer shined the most on the night where every player on both teams wore special jerseys to recognize family members and friends who have fought cancer. His performance brought smiles to the Jarvis family and Dragon fans alike.
“Max is a tremendous athlete and special player,” said Head Coach Chris Bell. “We ran plays to isolate him and use his great speed.”
Lake Orion was seemingly in command of the game after three quarters, leading 38-14. The Dragons opened the scoring late in the first quarter when Horneffer sprinted into the end zone from eight yards out.
Oxford, however, tied the game at seven apiece on the Wildcats’ first drive in the second quarter. The teams then traded quick scores, including White’s 17-yard scoring run, before the Dragons took the lead for good on Horneffer’s second eight-yard rushing touchdown of the night to put Lake Orion up 21-14 less than two minutes before halftime.
Oxford’s attempt to strike back quickly backfired when Horneffer intercepted a long Oxford pass, followed a line of blockers and returned the ball inside the Wildcats’ ten-yard line. Junior Parker Blust’s 25-yard field goal with two seconds left put Lake Orion up 24-14 at the break.
Lake Orion expanded their lead with two more touchdowns in the third quarter. The first came on Marshall’s 38-yard scoring pass to Horneffer. After the Wildcats turned the ball over on downs near midfield, the Dragons made them pay with Horneffer’s third rushing touchdown of the game from 15 yards out, putting Lake Orion up by 24 points.
Oxford was not ready to concede the game and seized the game’s momentum to start the fourth quarter. The Wildcats, aided by a long punt return and pooch kickoff that caught the Dragons by surprise, scored 21 points in three minutes. When Oxford punched the ball into the end zone for their third consecutive score, Lake Orion’s lead was cut to 38-35 with 8:25 left in the game.
On the Dragons’ next possession, however, Lake Orion’s quick strike offense woke up and senior running back Dylan Frank sprinted 43 yards into the end zone to put the Dragons back up 45-35. Bell pointed out the key play on that drive was Marshall’s long third-down completion to junior receiver Pierce Burke to maintain possession.
“John did a nice job, staying away from turnovers and working through his progressions to find the open receiver,” Bell said. “We thought we could take some shots downfield, which would open up the passing game underneath and it did.”
On Oxford’s next possession, the Dragon defense stopped the Wildcats on fourth down to essentially seal the victory. On the night, Oxford went 0-6 on fourth downs, 3-8 on third downs, thanks to the Dragon defense, which Bell said came up with big plays when needed. Lake Orion also forced three Oxford turnovers.
Horneffer capped his record-setting night with an 18-yard touchdown run with 3:10 left.
When the game ended, both teams lined the field to greet those people they were playing for on this special night, or their families who wanted to honor them. The players gladly handed over their game jerseys, exchanged handshakes and hugs with family and friends, and posed for plenty of pictures. For a while, keeping the Double O Trophy in the Dragons’ hands took a back seat to why the Pink Out game has become so memorable for Lake Orion.
“This game reminds our kids they are part of something larger than themselves and their role in this community,” Bell said. “They understand it, considering most of them know somebody who has been affected by cancer. It’s a great learning experience.”
This week Lake Orion (2-2, 2-1 OAA Red) travels to Southfield A&T (2-2, 2-0 OAA Red), which shut out Troy Athens last week and handed Clarkston its only loss this season. The Warriors feature a very athletic quarterback with a strong arm and explosive wide receiver, plus a “huge” offensive line and aggressive defense. Bell knows it will be challenge for his team.
“We can win this game if we limit their big plays,” he said. “Offensively, we have to play fundamentally sound and get our blocks and pick up the pressure.”