Danbury rolls to 7-1 start

LAKESIDE — Offense came quick and often for Danbury on a record-breaking night. Behind a first quarter that featured quarterback Tommy Dean completing 6 of 7 passes for 164 yards and three touchdowns and Grey Maltese breaking the Danbury record for receiving yards in a season, the Lakers sailed past Stryker 52-14 in Northern 8 Conference action Saturday. Entering the night, the single-season record for receiving yards was held by Guy Maltese. Grey's older brother had 498 yards in 2022. After one quarter, the record was broken after 131 yards from Grey. "I love when the coach comes down and calls the plays for us as playmakers," Maltese said. "These guys are awesome to play with and makes playing this game fun." In the first quarter, Dean hooked up with Maltese on a 54-yard touchdown pass on Danbury's second play from scrimmage. After the kickoff, the Lakers (7-1, 4-1 N8) continued the second play from scrimmage theme as they forced a fumble. Two plays later, Dean hit Ayden Ayers on a 35-yard pass. After only three passes, the senior gunslinger was 2 of 3 for 89 yards and two touchdowns. "The idea is just to keep playing hard," Dean said. "We are 7-1 and have a very good team, but it is not over yet. As players, we have to keep the momentum and move on to the next week." The offensive outburst continued in the first quarter. After forcing a Panthers three-and-out, the Lakers' air prowess continued as Dean hooked up with Maltese for 59 yards. To finish off the quarter, the legs of Drake Turinsky found the end zone from 24 yards. "Obviously it is very exciting to jump out that quickly," Danbury coach Brett Sykes said. "One thing that jumping ahead like that means is that younger players will get reps and those guys need as many reps as possible." Stryker struck in the second quarter as Noah Dotson caught an eight-yard pass from Cody Stewart for a touchdown. Dylan Rivas converted the two-point conversion to make it 30-8. After the big offensive night through the air, Danbury turned to their ground game. Turnisky had a 60-yard touchdown run followed by a Dean two-point conversion to make it 38-8. "Tommy is a heck of an athlete," Sykes said. "Some of those throws he made, Ayden and Grey did not even have to break stride. When you have a guy like that it makes the game so much easier." On the night, the Lakers converted six two-point conversions with Dean, Zyler Manning, Turnisky and Eli Knight all finding the end zone. "Tommy throws a very good ball," Ayers said. "If you are on the receiving end of those passes, it makes the game very easy." Danbury had over 400 yards of offense behind the arm of Dean and the legs of multiple backs. "In a game like this, we tell our players to keep their head in it," Sykes said. "I told my guys and coaches to focus on technique and try every play to get better." The Lakers now turn their focus to a very big game Saturday at Fremont St. Joseph Central Catholic (6-2, 4-1). Danbury beat the Crimson Streaks 46-13 at home Aug. 23, but have played better as of late. "These guys have two very important weeks coming up," Sykes said. "These guys know that it all starts with practice and our guys will be roaring to go after a game like tonight." Stryker 0 8 0 6 — 14Danbury 30 8 8 6 — 52 D — Grey Maltese 54 pass from Tommy Dean (run failed)D — Ayden Ayers 35 pass from Dean (Dean run)D — Maltese 59 pass from Dean (Zyler Manning run)D — Drake Turnisky 24 run (Turnisky run)S — Noah Dotson 8 pass from Cody Stewart (Dylan Rivas run)D — Turnisky 60 run (Dean run)D — Silas Niese 3 run (Eli Knight run)S — Rivas 5 run (run failed)D — Knight 67 run (run failed)