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LEHMAN TWP. — Lake-Lehman was tied after three quarters. And even though the Black Knights went up by two scores late in the fourth, coach Jerry Gilsky had to sweat out a late onside kick try following Meyers’ second punt return touchdown of the night.

Nothing like a little August drama to start your season.

“That,” Gilsky joked, “is why coaches are alcoholics.”

At the end of Lehman’s 30-23 victory on Friday night, both squads had shown their potential for successful seasons in the Wyoming Valley Conference opener.

For the Knights (1-0), there was the highly encouraging sign of senior Trey Borger returning from an injury that cost him most of the 2016 season.

Borger finished with three touchdowns and topped 200 yards from scrimmage, running for 168 and hauling in all three of his team’s receptions for 38 yards, including a terrific shoestring grab.

Tied at 16-16 heading into the fourth, Borger slashed into the end zone for a 4-yard score and then came around left end and broke away for a 34-yard touchdown on the following drive to make it 30-16.

“You can line him up anywhere,” Gilsky said. “A kid coming off a devastating injury like he had last year, he really committed his body to the weight room and rehab. He’s a very special kid. He’s a four-year player for us and the leadership role we put him into, he really took a handle on that. I’m very proud of him.”

The Knights ended up needing all three of his touchdowns. A Casey Kaminski interception late in the fourth looked to seal the game, but the Mohawks (0-1) forced Lehman to punt from its own 4-yard line, and Corey Brown ended up racing 41 yards to end zone to pull the game within a score.

“You knew if you gave them the ball back, something crazy like that was going to happen,” Gilsky said. “Credit to Meyers — they’re going to be in the playoffs with the talent they have there. We’re probably going to see them.”

Most impressive was senior quarterback Janssen Wilborn, who flashed his athleticism in the first quarter. After a punt bounced past him, he was able to retreat, scoop up the ball and take off down the left sideline for a 66-yard touchdown to open the scoring.

Wilborn threw for 146 yards, connecting with Reese Patronick five times for 95 of those yards. Patronick had a 53-yard catch-and-run where he slipped a tackle to set up Wilborn on the next play for an 11-yard touchdown. Wilborn finished with 39 yards on the ground.

Lehman also got 86 yards and a touchdown from fullback Matt Kurtz. Zack Kojadinovich and quarterback Nate O’Donnell lifted the Knights to 347 yards on the ground as both teams knocked some rust off.

“You watch a lot of film from last year, but you’re trying to guess,” Gilsky said. “Our kids really stuck to their keys. I’m very proud. Up front, our offensive line did a hell of a job.”

Lake-Lehman 30, Meyers 23

Meyers`6`7`3`7`—`23

Lake-Lehman`0`16`0`14`—`30

First quarter

MEY — Janssen Wilborn 66 punt return (kick failed), 6:17

Second quarter

LL — Trey Borger 35 run (Henry Selingo kick), 11:09

LL — Matt Kurtz 3 run (kick failed), 4:07

MEY — Wilborn 11 run (Kenny Macko kick), 2:19

LL — Selingo 28 field goal, 0:05

Third quarter

MEY — Macko 32 field goal, 4:26

Fourth quarter

LL — Borger 4 run (Selingo kick), 11:29

LL — Borger 34 run (Selingo kick), 6:30

MEY — Corey Brown 41 punt return (Macko kick), 1:56

Team statistics`MEY`LL

First downs`11`21

Rushes-yards`22-76`56-347

Passing yards`146`38

Total yards`222`385

Passing`7-18-1`3-6-0

Sacked-yards lost`2-18`1-9

Punts-avg.`4-28.8`3-34.3

Fumbles-lost`1-0`3-1

Penalties-yards`7-45`10-59

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — MEY, Kevin Dessoye 5-40, Janssen Wilborn 12-39, Rajhan Woodson 3-4, Nazir Dunell 2-(minus-7). LL, Trey Borger 23-168, Matt Kurtz 15-86, Zack Kojadinovich 9-52, Nate O’Donnell 9-41.

PASSING — MEY, Wilborn 7-18-1-146. LL, O’Donnell 3-5-0-38, Team 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING — MEY, Reese Patronick 5-95, Najese Hood 2-51. LL, Borger 3-38.

INTERCEPTIONS — LL, Casey Kaminski.

MISSED FGs — None.

Meyers football players take the field.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_ll_meyers1_faa-CMYK.jpg.optimal.jpgMeyers football players take the field. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Lake-Lehman running back Trey Borger races to the end zone for a touchdown against Meyers Friday at Lake-Lehman High School.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_ll_meyers4_faa-CMYK.jpg.optimal.jpgLake-Lehman running back Trey Borger races to the end zone for a touchdown against Meyers Friday at Lake-Lehman High School. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

By Derek Levarse

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Reach Derek Levarse at 570-991-6396 or on Twitter @TLdlevarse