Jackson edges Lake 40-37 in Federal League thriller

There’s been a lot of talk about the polar vortex that’s supposed to hit much of North America this fall and winter.

Well, the polar vortex descended early on Lake Blue Streak Stadium on Oct. 3 as Jackson visited Lake in a Federal League matchup. The result was a flurry of points dumped on the Blue Streaks by the Polar Bears, who escaped with a 40-37 victory.

The 40 points were the most surrendered by Lake all season and came on the heels of the Blue Streaks’ best defensive effort, when they held Northwest to just 10 points the week before.

A first-quarter field goal gave Jackson (4-3, 3-1) the early lead, and the Polar Bears led wire to wire, though the stubborn Blue Streaks (6-1, 2-1) refused to go away until the closing minutes.

After Corey Jacobs scored from 3 yards out on the first play of the second quarter, Jackson expanded its lead to 10-0. Enter Alex Quior and Chase Fuller, as Lake’s quarterback and wide receiver connected twice in the second quarter on scoring plays of 58 and 18 yards. Those touchdowns sandwiched a Polar Bears score, and as the teams filed off the field at halftime, Lake trailed 17-14.

A Jackson punt buried the Blue Streaks deep in their own territory, leading to a safety. The Polar Bears received the ensuing free kick and scored again as quarterback Carter Muhleman threw his second touchdown pass of the night to make it 26-14.

The teams then traded touchdowns into the fourth quarter. When Jacobs broke free for a 58-yard score with 6:32 remaining, Jackson held a 40-29 lead, and Lake looked frozen out.

But Davis Matson’s second rushing touchdown of the game—and his successful 2-point conversion—breathed new life into Lake, bringing the Blue Streaks within three points with four minutes left.

Quior and company never got another chance, however, as Jackson ran out the clock to seal the win.

Quior finished 15-of-26 for 270 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while Fuller caught five passes for 114 yards. Matson added 65 rushing yards on 14 carries.