BY DAN STICKRADT
CORRESPONDENT
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
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LAKE ORION — Carter Farris didn’t expect to get any reps against Lake Orion Thursday night.
The sophomore was surprised when his number was called.
Despite playing only about a third of the game, he finished 5-for-5 passing for 114 yards and three touchdown passes during his first extensive varsity action in Rochester Adams’ 39-8 victory over host Lake Orion in the OAA Red Division opener for both teams.
“No, I didn’t expect it,” smiled Farris about the playing time. “It was just a good experience to get out there with the guys and get a chance to play. My line did an awesome job.”
The Highlanders (2-0, 1-0) have outscored its two opponents this season 77-14 behind a balanced attack and a deep well of athletes, several which are in their third and fourth varsity seasons.
Starting quarterback Zach Soldan finished 4-for-5 for 51 yards and rushed for 37 more yards, Cole Patritto had eight carries for 69 yards, and Vincent Gray snared three catches for 73 yards for Adams.
The Highlanders dominated on both sides of the football, holding Lake Orion to only seven total yards in the first half. Adams out-gained the Dragons 331-103 overall on the night.
“We’ve had a lot of success on this field, a lot of epic battles with Lake Orion,” noted Adams coach Tony Patritto. “I’m very proud of the way we played four complete quarters today.”
Stephen Roncelli scored on an untouched 4-yard scamper and Ben Patton booted a 21-yard field goal for a 10-0 Adams lead following the Highlanders’ first two drives.
Chase Kareta (4-yard run and 23-yard reception from Farris) padded the advantage to 24-0, while Ben Luci caught a 28-yard strike from Farris for a 32-0 halftime lead.
Farris’ third TD strike, this time to Reece Collins for 27 yards, capped the scoring late in the fourth quarter for Adams.
“It’s all about focus for high school kids,” reminded Patritto. “I thought we we’re very focussed all week in practice, and when you have talented kids like we have and they are focused, good things happen on the football field.”
Lake Orion spoiled the shutout in the fourth quarter when Dylan Frank scored on a 1-yard plunge and Trevor Burke caught the two-point conversion pass from Johnny Marshall.
The Dragons have started the season 0-2 with state-ranked West Bloomfield on deck.
“(Coach Patritto) had those guys ready to go. They were flying round offensively and defensively. That’s a typical Adams team and what they try to do they do it well,” said first-year Lake Orion head coach John Blackstock. “That’s where we want to be and we’re not nearly there yet. I still love this group of kids. They come with a blue-collar mentality every day and a joy to work with. We’re just going to get back to work the next day and get ready for West Bloomfield.”