Lone Tree slips past Midland in opener

     Lone Tree scored touchdowns in each of the last three quarters to erase an early 8-0 Midland lead and defeat the Eagles 22-8 in a “week zero” high school football game Aug. 20 at Lone Tree.

     After stopping Lone Tree’s opening drive, Midland scored on its very first play from scrimmage, as Brayden Grau ran 57 yards for a touchdown with 6:26 to play in the first quarter. Caden Ballou completed a pass to Zain Sauer for a two-point conversion, giving the Eagles an 8-0 lead.

     Lone Tree came back with a touchdown and two-point conversion in the second quarter to tie the game 8-8, then scored again in the final two quarters.

     The Lions finished with 224 yards of total offense, compared to 190 for Midland. For the Eagles, Grau carried the ball 12 times for 96 yards, and Ballou had 10 carries for 52 yards. Ballou completed 10 of 22 passes for 46 yards, three of those to Jon Thomsen for 22 yards. Sauer had a 20-yard reception.

     Defensively for Midland, Sauer had 18 tackles, including 10 solo stops. Grau had 10 tackles, and Shayden Hansen made eight. Recording sacks were Ty Jensen, Grau and Sauer.