PAINESVILLE, Ohio -- The excitement for Storm Football was in the air as the Chargers from Hillsdale came into town for the season opener. Lake Erie comes into this season with higher expectations after last season proved to be a huge stepping stone for the program. 

Under new leadership in first-year head coach DJ Boldin, the Storm got off to the start they were hoping for. On the first drive of the game, it only took the Lake Erie offense four plays to strike first, as senior Gerald Gardner connected with senior Peyton Brown for a 47-yard touchdown, giving them a very early 7-0 lead after the successful extra point.

During Hillsdale's first offensive drive of the game, the Storm delivered another hard blow as freshman Ben Griskie came away with an interception on the Lake Erie 38-yard line. 

The Storm would capitalize and add on another score, with Raphael Jones Jr. punching it in for this time and quickly extending their lead to 14-0.

Each team would trade a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter but Hillsdale would tack on one more than the Storm right before the end of the half, trimming the Lake Erie lead to 21-14.

Lake Erie would strike with 7:34 remaining in the 3rd quarter with a beautiful connection from Gardner to junior Marcus Brown before the Chargers would respond the next drive with a score of their own, bringing the score to 28-21 in favor of the Storm.

An 18-yard field goal by Justin Smith would extend the lead to 31-21 but the Chargers would come fighting back, managing to get two touchdowns in the quarter, bringing their lead to 35-31 with 4:29 remaining.

With the game coming down to the Storm offense, Gardner and company would move efficiently, marching down the field from their own 27-yard line and began knocking on the door of the Hillsdale end zone as they lined up on the 5-yard line.

With 32 seconds remaining, Gardner would drop back in the pocket looking for a receiver. His pass would be read perfectly by the Charger's defense and intercepted in the end zone, allowing Hillsdale to run out the clock and giving the Storm a 35-31 loss.

On the day, Gardner would go 29-39 for 343 yards and two touchdowns.

Marcus Brown and Peyton Brown would excel on the receiving end with Marcus recording 102 yards and Peyton totaling 97 yards.

On the ground, Raphael Jones Jr. pounded the rock for 102 yards of his own and reached the end zone twice.

Defensively, Michael Cox would record the Storm's lone sack and Jayon Blair would record an interception in addition to Griske's.

Lake Erie returns to action Saturday, September 10 on the road against Kentucky Wesleyan at 1:00 PM before returning home against McKendree for homecoming on Saturday, September 17 at 6:00 PM.