COMMERCE — Commerce used big plays to broke open a close game after the first quarter en route to a 55-21 win over Lakeview Academy Friday night in Region 8-A action at Tiger Stadium.
Nick Patrick scored on the game's opening drive for the Tigers (3-0, 2-0 Rgion 8-A) for a 7-0 lead and it stayed that way until the second quarter.
Commerce exploded for 28 points in the second quarter. Easley Smith scored on a 25-yard run to start second quarter and the Nate Ray connected with Kyre Ware for a 76-yard touchdown pass, his first of two TD passes in the quarter. Ray also converted on a 2-point conversion run for a 21-0 lead with 8:13 left in first half.
DaJuan Wood extended the lead to 28-0 with a 58-yard touchdown with 4:29 left in half before Lakeview (1-2,0-2) finally got on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Alec Bornhorst to cut the lead to 28-7 with 1:43 left in half.
But Ray and Ware hooked up again for a 3-yard touchdown pass with 11 seconds left in the half for a 35-7 Tigers lead.
After a long interception return by Caleb Mason on Lakeview's first possession of the third quarter, Ray scored on a 5-yard run. Tyelon Brock then broke an 83-yard touchdown run late in the period for a 49-7 lead.
The Lions scored to cut the lead to 49-14 with 11:29 left in game and David King finished the scoring for Commerce with a 52-yard touchdown run.
Bornhorst and KJ Millwood connected on a 7-yard scoring pass with 2:55 left for the final points.
Commerce rushed for 453 yards on 35 carries and Ray was 2-for-2 for 79 yards and two TDs passing.
