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Senerius throws four TD passes, Lakes advances to Division 8 semifinals with a 32-6 victory over Lutheran Seminary
Waterford – Clay Senerius wants something his coach Josh Sawicki has and he’s two victories from getting his hands on it.
Senerius threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns and Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes defeated Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary 32-6 in a Division 8 region final on Saturday at Lakes.
Lakes’ last regional title came in 2006.
Sawicki was a two-way starter for the last time Lakes won a state championship (2002) and should Lakes win its semifinal next Saturday the Lakers will advance to the final for the X time in school history.
“Coach puts on his state championship ring and walks around with it (on),” Senerius said. “I’d really like to have one.”
Senerius, a 6-3 senior, played like a champion as he completed 20-of-26 attempts and did not throw an interception.
He completed all four of his attempts for 63 yards on the game-s first series and his 22-yard touchdown pass to Jack Bono gave the Lakers a 6-0 lead.
Lakes kicked a field goal on its next drive and, after a Seminary punt, it took just three plays for the Lakers to score their second touchdown. This time Senerius went to tight end Ryan Kostich as Senerius hit Kostich in stride for a 61-yard touchdown pass and Lakes led 15-0 with 55 seconds left in the first quarter.
Senerius went to a third receiver, his favorite, to score his team’s third touchdown. Facing a third-and-9 Senerius completed a 51-yard touchdown pass to his twin, Devin, for a 22-0 lead with 9:28 left in the half.
Seminary (10-2), a semifinalist last season, couldn’t provide enough offense to keep pace and Lakes (12-0) was on its way to the semifinals.
The Lakers will play Ottawa Lake Whiteford (10-2), a 48-14 winner over Climax-Scotts on Saturday, at a site and time to be determined.
“We came out and played our best game, all year,” Sawicki said. “Sometimes as coaches we talked about Xs and Os. We battled today. We get them in the backyard here and we got them early.
“And our senior quarterback? Holy cow. We saw some things they did (on film) that we knew we could run some routs against.”
Devin Senerius caught a handful of passes underneath the Seminary coverage that he often broke a tackle or two to turn a short gain into a first down or more.
“The O-line really played well,” Clay Senerius said. “They’re a big part of our success.
“I knew their safeties played off and we’d have some screens and bubble screens open.”
Devin Senerius had nine receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns, and Kostich had six receptions for 105 yards and one score.
Isaac Oliver led the rushing attack with 76 yards on 11 carries.
For Seminary junior Casey Williams rushed for 73 yards and one touchdown on eight carries. Sophomore quarterback Cade Kestner was 9-of-22 for 102 yards. He threw two interceptions and was sacked three times.
“This group of seniors had four losses in three years,” Seminary coach Karl Schmugge said. “They put us back on the map.
“This is just (one) game. Hopefully it’s a learning game.”
