Saranac Lake held a 22-16 edge at halftime before being outscored 16-8 after intermission.

The setback spoiled a tremendous performance by Red Storm senior running back Jarrett Ashton, who banged out 212 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 30 carries. The Patriots had a back that fared even better, as Matthew Pray ran wild for 286 yards on 24 attempts. Pray scored touchdowns on runs of 80 and 22 yards and also returned a punt 71 yards to the end zone.

Ashton opened the scoring on a 61-yard run 2:19 into the game on Saranac Lake’s first possession, which was set up by one of three interceptions the Red Storm recorded on errant passes thrown in the first half by AuSable Valley quarterback Dalton McDonald. Jacob Shipman swiped the first pass and finished with two interceptions in the game.

Ashton’s first touchdown gave Saranac Lake a 6-0 edge, and the score stayed that way after his point-after kick attempt went wide left of the goal post.

Saranac Lake junior Jacob Shipman fends off AuSable Valley defensive back Jason Fletcher during Friday night’s game in Clintonville. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

The Patriots converted Saranac Lake’s lone turnover into points, and it came on a fumble forced by Chance LaPier when he sacked Red Storm quarterback DJ Morgan early in the second quarter. LaPier’s hit jarred the ball away from Morgan and Mason Douglas scooped it up and rambled 55 yards into the end zone. Pray added two points on a conversion run, putting the Patriots on top 8-6 with 3:19 gone in the second quarter.

Saranac Lake answered right back, going 70 yards in five plays, with Ashton capping off the drive with a 51-yard touchdown run. Freshman Rhett Darrah tossed a conversion pass to Morgan, putting the Red Storm back in front 14-8 midway through the second quarter.

Each team added one more touchdown before halftime. The Patriots picked up a quick one, in fact on the first play following Saranac Lake’s second score. Starting with the ball at their own 20, AuSable Valley was in the end zone on an 80-yard run by Pray, and the hosts tacked on two more points on a McDonald to Luis Perez conversion pass.

Trailing 16-14, Saranac Lake regained the lead on a trick play, as Ryan Meyer launched a 55-yard half-back option touchdown pass to Shipman with 4:52 remaining in the first half. Morgan followed with a successful conversion pass to Matt Kratts to send Saranac Lake into halftime with a 22-16 lead.

The advantage did not hold up for the Red Storm after halftime as the Patriots scored 14 unanswered points in the third quarter. Their first touchdown came on seven-yard completion from McDonald to Perez with 4:24 left in the period, and Pray followed with a 71-yard punt return with 1:48 remaining in the quarter.

Saranac Lake quarterback DJ Morgan looks for a receiver downfield during Friday night’s game against AuSable Valley. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

Down 30-22, Saranac Lake battled back to deadlock the score, thanks to a pair of runs by Ashton. He scored on a six-yard run to cut the Red Storm’s deficit to 30-28 with 4:18 gone in the fourth, and tied the game on the next play on a conversion run.

Pray and the Patriots, however, answered back on their next possession, marching 55 yards in just four plays for the winning points. Pray put AuSable Valley on top for good on a 22-yard run, and McDonald added two more points for good measure on the conversion run, making the score 38-30 with 6:33 remaining.

Saranac Lake will look to even its record Saturday, Sept. 9 when it hosts Saranac Central at Ken Wilson Field with the opening kickoff slated for 1:30 p.m.

Saranac Lake junior Ryan Meyer attempts to escape a tackle as teammate Fox Thurston conducts oncoming traffic during Friday night’s game against AuSable Valley. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

Christy Rylan of Saranac Lake looks to break free during Friday night’s game against AuSable Valley. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)