Sports

Lisbon fought hard, but couldn’t run past Waterloo, 26-16

By Chris Pugh

Updated September 2, 2023 8:19 AM

Waterloo-Lisbon Chris Pugh/Mahoning Matters

Deep in the fourth quarter, the legs of Ashton Hinchliffe and Trevor Siefke single-handedly almost led Lisbon to a come-from-behind win over Waterloo.

Down by four points, the Blue Devils used a mix of Siefke scrambles and power runs to take the team to a first and goal at the Waterloo seven-yard-line with under three minutes to play.

How penalties hurt Lisbon

Then the penalty flags hit Lisbon hard.

First-and-goal from the seven-yard-line become first-and-goal from the 41-yard-line and Waterloo held on for a 26-16 win Friday night in Atwater,

“We ran the ball down the field,” Lisbon coach Matt Altomare said. “You like to say penalties are part og the game, but I have to be honest with you and say I really don’t have a 41-yard play in my playbook. There’s not much you can do at that point. It takes your momentum away and just an unfortunate part of the game.”

Dakota Finney opened the scoring with a 15-yard-touchdown catch from Jayden Hakin.

Hinchliffe ressponded with a 45-yard touchdown run.

Landon McClain added a 7-yard touchdown run, which game Waterloo a 13-7 lead at half-time.

Lisbon scored a safety in the third quarter and took their first lead of the game later in the quarter.

But Hakin scored to give Waterloo lead.

He added a third-down pass breakup on defense to preserve the Vikings lead before running around left end for a 67-yard-touchdown to put the game away.

“He’s a competitor,” Waterloo head coach Mike Devies said. “I love that kid to death.”

Lisbon travels to East Palestine next week, while Waterlooo travels to Springfield.