Tupper Lake’s Colin Bencze makes a big catch during Saturday’s away game against Cooperstown. (Provided photo)

TUPPER LAKE — Youth and inexperience showed on Saturday as the Tupper Lake football team suffered a 65-14 loss to the Cooperstown Hawkeyes on the road.

Cooperstown jumped out to a 41-0 lead at halftime to essentially seal the win.

“We made very correctable mistakes, as well as turnover being a big problem,” Lumberjacks head coach Dennis Klossner said. “I am proud of our kids as they improved through the second half, kept their heads up and finished the game with pride.”

Cooper McDonald led Tupper Lake with 85 rushing yards on 14 attempts. McDonald also found the endzone. Senior quarterback Brock Fleishman also reached paydirt for the Lumberjacks.

Klossner said the team was without senior Liam McClain for most of the game, as he was battling an injury.

Up next, the Lumberjacks will return home to face the West Canada Valley Nighthawks at 6 p.m. on Friday.

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Cooperstown 65, Tupper Lake 14

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Hawkeyes 14 27 18 6 — 65

Lumberjacks 0 0 8 6 — 14

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Individual stats

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OFFENSIVE

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Rushing

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TL — McDonald 14-85,1 TD; Jones 9-58; Fleishman 2-4, 1 TD.

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Passing

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TL — Fleishman 2-6-1-8; Durfee 4-6-0-25. Totals: 6-12-1-33.

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Receiving:

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TL — Bencze 3-14, 2-point conversion; Gerstenberger 1-10; Dukett 1-6; Lo Bue 1-3. Totals: 6-33, 2-point conversion.

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DEFENSIVE

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Tackles

TL — Bencze 6; McDonald 4; Gerstenberger, Olds, Clark 3; LaValley, Dukett, Strack 2; Fleishman, Arsenault 1.

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Others

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TL — LaValley 1 fumble recovery; Lo Bue, McClain, Skiff 1 pass defended; Gerstenberger, Bencze 1 blocked field goal.