Tupper Lake’s Lucas Olds tackles an OnTech Grey Wolves player during Saturday’s road game. Olds led the Lumberjacks in tackles. (Provided photo)

SYRACUSE — The Tupper Lake football team collected its first victory of the season on Saturday, topping the OnTech (Syracuse) Grey Wolves 30-12 on the road.

The Lumberjacks used a solid ground attack to overwhelm OnTech, as senior Liam McClain led the way with 116 rushing yards on 24 carries, while reaching the endzone once. Sophomore Cooper McDonald also had a solid day, rushing for 53 yards on eight attempts with one touchdown.

Tupper Lake rushed for a combined 250 yards on the ground, as Lumberjacks head coach Dennis Klossner said, his linemen blocked really well and opened holes all afternoon.

“I am very proud of the team as they played a very good game all four quarters,” he said. “It was great to see the determination and excitement in their eyes all game.”

Quarterback Knaullyn Durfee was six of seven for 71 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Durfee gave the Lumberjacks a 6-0 lead in the first quarter when he found Cohen Gerstenberger for a 22-yard touchdown strike. McClain then extended to lead with a 2-yard run in the second quarter, before Durfee connected with Luka Dukett for the 2-point conversion attempt, making the score 14-0.

The Grey Wolves scored their first points on a 46-yard run at the end of the opening half, before making it a one-score game with a passing touchdown on the first drive after the intermission.

However, the Lumberjacks responded with a touchdown in both the third and fourth quarters to seal the win. Durfee connected with Gauge LaValley for a 20-yard touchdown pass before McDonald closed out the scoring with a 14-yard run.

“(Our) kids played well, we cut back on penalties and miscues,” Klossner said. “Our tackling was much better and our defense played very well as they stepped up when needed, especially when they kept OnTech from converting on their conversions.”

Up next, Tupper Lake (1-6 overall) will host the Hoosic Valley Hawks at 5 p.m. on Thursday to wrap up the 8-man regular season.

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Tupper Lake 30, OnTech (Syracuse) 12

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Lumberjacks 6 8 8 8 — 30

Grey Wolves 0 6 6 0 — 12

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Scoring

First quarter

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TL — Gerstenberger 22 pass from Durfee (Conversion failed), 1:32

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Second quarter

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TL — McClain 2 run (Dukett pass from Durfee), 2:33

OT — 46-yard run (Conversion failed)

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Third quarter

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OT — 12-yard pass (Conversion failed), 11:50

TL — LaValley 20 pass from Durfee (LaValley pass from Durfee), 5:46

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Fourth quarter

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TL — McDonald 14 run, (McDonald run), 2:29

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Individual statistics

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OFFENSE

RUSHING

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TL — McClain 24-116, TD; McDonald 8-53, TD; Gerstenberger 2-76; Durfee 4-5. TOTALS: 38-250, 2TDs.

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PASSING

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TL — Durfee 6-7-1-71, 2TDs.

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RECIEVING

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TL — Gerstenberger 1-22, TD; Bencze 2-23; LaValley 2-23, TD; Dukett 1-3. TOTALS: 6-71, 2TDs.

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DEFENSE

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TL — Olds 6 tackles; Gerstenberger 5 tackles, 1 pass defended; Dukett 5 tackles; McDonald 5 tackles; Bencze 4 tackles and 1 quarterback sack; Lo Bue 3 tackles; McClain 2 tackles; LaValley 2 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass defended; Fleishman 1 tackle; Skiff 1 tackle.