Playing at home for the first time in almost two years, the Red Storm defeated the Ticonderoga Sentinels 49-0 on Saturday.

Saranac Lake coach Eric Bennett said the team was excited about winning the first home game since 2019.

“For us to have a showing like this is just outstanding,” Bennett said. “We have a lot of respect for those Ti kids. They battled really hard.”

Saranac Lake’s ability to run the football was a major factor in the win as five running backs were able to find a path to the end zone.

Saranac Lake’s Carter Hewitt runs with the ball during Saturday’s game against Ticonderoga. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

Carter Hewitt was the first to reach the end zone. He scored on the opening drive for Saranac Lake. In the second drive for the Red Storm, the team was held to a field goal. Following that drive, Jon Kratts scored to make the game 17-0 in just the first quarter.

Kratts would score one more time and running backs Raymond Santiago, Logan Hathaway and Kaden Darrah would also contribute with scores of their own. The team ran for an astounding 292 yards.

Nick Munn scored the only non-rushing touchdown, hauling in a 66-yard reception for a touchdown.

As dominant as the rushing attack was for Saranac Lake, the offensive line played well, which helped the run game.

“We have a number of running backs that are hungry to get the ball,” Bennett said. “Our line is getting better and better each day with our scheme and I think they just executed well.”

At left, Saranac Lake’s Camren Beckwith, Raymond Santiago, Ben Cope and Austin Barry celebrate after scoring a touchdown during Saturday’s game against Ticonderoga. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

With around 30 kids on the roster eligible to play in the game, the Red Storm had a massive advantage as the Sentinels had 16 eligible players.

“We had a lot of kids out there staying fresh and getting a ton of great reps,” Bennett said. “I feel like our kids executed our game plan well. They have big hearts and they really pushed it.”

During the game, two Sentinels players were injured, which did not help out with the team’s depth. Going forward, the injuries are a concern to the overall football program at Ticonderoga because all 11-man high school football teams are required to have 16 or more players eligible to play to be able to play in a game, according to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association rules.

“We are going to have to find out on Monday where we are at,” Ticonderoga coach Heath Geiser said. “Today we only had 16 eligible. We get two more eligible next week, but we’re gonna just have to see where we are at. We’re gonna be on a week-to-week basis.”

Even with the shorter team, Ticonderoga will look at the positives in the game to build on going forward.

Saranac Lake’s Logan Hathaway scores a touchdown during the third quarter of Saturday’s football game against Ticonderoga. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

“I’m glad the team never gave up on themselves they stuck together, Geiser said. “They didn’t start pointing fingers. They continued to battle throughout the game even though, as coaches, we knew the game was pretty much over in the first half. I’m proud of these kids. We have eight more games to go, and we’ll just try to get better each week.”

Bennett said he appreciates the effort that Ticonderoga showed.

“Now we just have to get our minds ready for Saranac,” he said.

With the first win of the season in the bag, the Red Storm looks ahead as the team travels to Saranac Central on Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. game.

Bennett said Saranac is a talented team with a dynamic running back. He also said they have a dual-threat quarterback and size. He added that the Red Storm will have its work cut out for them against Saranac.

Saranac Lake’s Brady Roberts scrambles with the football as Ticonderoga’s Owen Stonitsch chases after him, during Saturday’s game. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

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SCORING

First Quarter

SL – Hewitt 17 run (Faubert kick), 2:50

SL – Faubert 28 Field goal, 8:08

Saranac Lake’s Ryan Gallagher lays out to make the tackle on Ticonderoga’s Owen Stonitsch during Saturday’s football game. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

SL – Kratts 7 run (Faubert kick), 11:01

Second Quarter

SL – Santiago 22 run (Faubert kick), 1:09

SL – Kratts 1 run (Snyder kick), 5:45

Third Quarter

SL – Ni. Munn 66 pass from Roberts (Kick failed), 1:50

SL – Darrah 2 run (Kick blocked), 7:30

SL – Hathaway 43 run (Run failed), 11:25

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Individual Statistics

RUSHING

SL – Hewitt 8-135 TD, Kratts 2-8 2TDs, Roberts 1-1, Santiago 2-49 TD, Cope 1-18, Hathaway 4-53 TD, Willette 4-21, No. Munn 1-4, Darrah 2-3 TD, Barry 3-0. Totals: 28-292 6TDs.

Ti – Hunt 1-5, Vigliotti 3 – (-9), Yaw 8-12, Stonitsch 6-20, No. 2 2-3. Totals: 20-31.

PASSING

SL – Roberts 2-4-0-72 TD.

Ti – Vigliotti 5-11-0-6. Yaw 0-1-1-0. Totals: 5-12-1-6.

RECEIVING

SL – Kratts 1-6. Ni. Munn 1-66 TD.

Ti – Olden 1-0, Drinkwine 2-4, Stonitsch 1-4, Hunt 1-(-2).

INTERCEPTIONS

SL – Faubert.

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Saranac Lake’s Raymond Santiago rushes with the football during Saturday’s game against Ticonderoga. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)