Despite getting big offensive performances by juniors Dominic Bisesi (270 yards on 17 of 25 passing) and Will Dupont (seven catches for 113 yards), the Lancers were unable to hold off McCluer North in a 37-10 loss on Sept. 17.

Their efforts were in vain as the Lafayette defense was repeatedly frustrated on third down and was outplayed by a strong offensive line. Junior quarterback Galen Brown led a balanced attack and had a strong game with arm as well as his legs.

He set up his team’s first score with a long run into Lancer territory on the game’s opening drive. The Stars would take an 8-0 lead just a couple plays later on Brown’s 30-yard completion to senior Nevar Griffin and a successful two-point conversion.

Out of Lafayette’s 459 total yards, 162 were accounted for on just two big plays.

The first came on a perfectly-executed reverse pass from Dupont to senior Aareon Smith for 77 yards in the first quarter that cut McCluer’s lead to 8-7. Junior Kyle Hanlon had the other when he turned a short pass from Bisesi into a 75-yard score in the game’s final minutes.

Otherwise, the Lancers were outgained and seemed outmatched on offense. With senior running back Thomas Swoboda out due to injury, the team finished with only 108 rushing yards on the night.

Even then, the Lancers still had a chance to take the lead when Bisesi barely missed Dupont for a sure touchdown in the third quarter. They wouldn’t get that close again until the score was 30-10, when Hanlon’s touchdown came too little, too late.