Tupper Lake’s defense lines up against Clinton on Friday. From left are Gaetano Lo Bue, Cohen Gerstenberger, Lucas Olds and Cooper McDonald. (Provided photo)

TUPPER LAKE — The Tupper Lake football team hit the road on Friday for only the second time this season, and suffered a 52-28 loss to the Clinton Comets.

The Lumberjacks got off to a rocky start, allowing Clinton to a 33-6 lead at halftime, before finding a bit more success in the second half. The team outscored the Comets 22-19 after the intermission.

“We started slow, but played much better,” Tupper Lake’s head coach Dennis Klossner said. “I am very proud of these kids, as this is a tough game to play and they kept their heads up and continued to play hard all four quarters.”

Liam McClain paced the Lumberjacks with 242 yards on 31 carries, while scoring one touchdown.

Cohen Gerstenberger scored two touchdowns, one on the ground and the other through air on a pass from Knaullyn Durfee. Gerstenberger had 97 total yards, while Cooper McDonald also scored a touchdown for Tupper Lake, which was playing shorthanded with some injuries.

“These kids have a never-give-up attitude; they are a remarkable group of young men,” Klossner said.

Up next, the Lumberjacks, which dropped to 0-5, will take on the South Lewis Falcons on the road at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. South Lewis is currently 2-3 overall.

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Clinton 52, Tupper Lake 28

Comets 20 13 19 0 — 52

Lumberjacks 6 0 8 14 — 28

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Individual stats

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Passing

TL –Durfee 3-9-0-45, TD

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Receiving:

TL — Gerstenberger 3-45, TD

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Rushing:

TL — McClain 31-242, TD; Gerstenberger 3-52, TD; McDonald 6-55, TD; Durfee 3-6; Fleishman 1-3.

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Defense:

TL — Gerstenberger 11 tackles, 2 passes defended; LaValley 7 Tackles, 1 caused fumble, 1 pass defended; McClain 5 tackles; Dukett 4 tackles, fumble recovery; Bencze 4 tackles; Strack 3 tackles; McDonald 2 tackles; Skiff 1 tackle; Olds 1 tackle; Switzer 1 tackle; Lo Bue 1 tackle.