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The defending Ski Valley Conference champions kept pace with co-leaders Bellaire and Forest Area last Friday night, Aug. 24 with a convincing 30-6 rout of Johannesburg at home.

"It was a big first win,"Central Lake head coach Adam Grybauskus said. "First games sometimes are a little sloppy, and we definitely were a little sloppy.

"But, like I told our guys afterwards, I thought we played well from snap to whistle. Some of the stuff before (the snap) wasn't the best, but we'll get that ironed out.

"Overall, it was a really good first game. We pretty much had control of the game throughout."

Landon Waller had the first touchdown of the new season for the Trojans, punching the ball in from a yard out after a long, time-consuming drive.

Jarod Danbert also found the end zone for the Trojans, busting loose on an 18-yard scamper that had Johannesburg defenders watching his heels.

Waller scored his second touchdown of the game on a 45-yard interception return, and Travis Rogers went in on an eight-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Defense keys win

Central Lake didn't pile up a great deal of yards, but managed to gain 150 yards on the ground with Waller rushing for 86 to lead the Trojans. He also helped out on defense with five tackles and a quarterback sack. The Trojans had some success throwing the ball, as quarterback Ryan Crawley competed 7-of-11 passes for 98 yards.

Rogers and Zach Light paced the defense with 13 tackles apiece for the Trojans. Light also contributed two quarterback sacks as the Trojans had success putting pressure on the Johannesburg quarterback. Rogers had two tackles for loss. Danbert finished with seven tackles.

Grybauskus felt the offensive line did a pretty good job sustaining their blocks downfield all night.

Starting on the line were Cody Jacobs at center, Kevin Dick and Terry Swenson at the guards, Light and Frank King going at the tackles.

Central Lake next plays Atlanta.

"It's the first time we've played them, so we don't know a ton about them,"Grybauskus said. "But, we've seen them on tape and they have some pretty quick kids.

"They threw the ball close to 30 times, and were pretty successful, scoring 29 points. So, it's going to be a little different game than Joburg. "We know Joburg was going to run it, and Atlanta looks like it's going to throw it. So, we have to change gears a little bit on defense."