(Painesville, Ohio) — After a long hiatus due to COVID-19, the Lake Erie Storm football team finally returns to the gridiron on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. to face off with Ohio Dominican at Jack Britt Stadium in Painesville. Second-year head coach Reilly Murphy leads the Storm into their first game of 2020-21 in their 13th season overall. Coming off of a 3-8 year in 2019, Lake Erie looks to defy the odds and rise above its projected 2020-21 ranking of sixth place in the G-MAC as voted on by conference coaches. But the first game of the season won't be a gimme, as the visiting ODU Panthers received one first-place vote and a projected ranking of third in the same conference coaches poll.
Despite losing several key contributors from 2019, such as starting quarterback Javarian Smith, running back Antwan Harris, and leading tackler Elems Ukwu Jr., the Storm still have many strengths on both sides of the ball. Eric Zokouri, last year's leading rusher, is back this season, just as wide receiver Nate Dantley Jr. and tight end Josh Hufstetler are as well, who finished first and second in team receptions, respectively. Additionally, defensive end Justin Growel, who led the Storm in sacks in 2019 with nine, will also be back in green and black this year.
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3/11/21 vs. Ohio Dominican 7:00 p.m. EST
Live Stats Live Video
Scouting the Lake Erie Storm
2019 Record: 3-8, 2-5 G-MAC
Last Time Out: Loss at Indianapolis on November 16, 2019
Quick Links:
Football Home Page
Schedule
Roster
Statistics
2019 Individual Statistical Leaders
Passing Yards: Javarian Smith - 2,830
Rushing Yards: Eric Zokouri - 667
Receiving Yards: Nate Dantley Jr. - 947
All-Purpose: Jayshon Bester - 93.4 YPG
Touchdowns: Josh Hufstetler and Eric Zokouri - 8
Tackles: Elems Ukwu Jr. - 76.0
Sacks: Justin Growel - 9.0
Interceptions: Elems Ukwu Jr. and Tareeq Welch - 2
2019 Team Statistics
Passing Yards: 2,961
Rushing Yards: 928
Passing Touchdowns: 18
Rushing Touchdowns: 13
Tackles: 738
Sacks: 15
Defensive INTs: 6
Scouting the Ohio Dominican Panthers
2019 Record: 7-3, 6-1 G-MAC
Last Time Out: Loss vs. Truman on December 7, 2019
Quick Links:
Football Home Page
Schedule
Roster
Statistics
2019 Individual Statistical Leaders
Passing Yards: Evan Ernst - 1,911
Rushing Yards: EJ Colson - 886
Receiving Yards: Cedric Washington - 558
All-Purpose: David Turner - 118.5 YPG
Touchdowns: Devanaire Conliffe - 10
Tackles: Camren Moore - 102.0
Sacks: Jaylin Garner - 9.0
Interceptions: Alessio Amato - 6
2019 Team Statistics
Passing Yards: 1,998
Rushing Yards: 1,297
Passing Touchdowns: 17
Rushing Touchdowns: 19
Tackles: 765
Sacks: 20
Defensive INTs: 13
