Bates shines as Lutheran North rebounds to thwart Imlay City

By Dan Stickradt

Sometimes a team can learn a lot about its collective self when it is forced to rebound from a heartbreaking loss.

Macomb Lutheran North sure did that Friday night.

The Mustangs, who dropped a 28-27 setback to Division 6 state-ranked Almont the previous week, rebounded Friday with a 38-20 victory over Imlay City in the final game of the Blue Water Area Conference campaign.

Almont won the league outright with Lutheran North finishing second and Imlay City lands third in the final eight-school conference standings.

Charlie Bates collected 200 all-purpose yards with three touchdowns to pace the Mustangs (7-1, 6-1), which included a kickoff return, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown for good measure in helping North clinch the runner-up spot in its very first season in the BWAC.

Bates was a part of a well-oiled machine Friday, as he had five carries for 80 yards and a score, collected eight catches for 70 yards and a TD and also had a 65-yard kickoff return to lead the Mustangs.

Junior quarterback Owen VanderVlucht – one of the top quarterbacks in Macomb County – finished 18-for-28 passing for 190 yards with four touchdown passes and one interception.

Wide receivers Luke Roussin and Luke May also had productive days. Roussin had five catches for 56 yards and a touchdown, while May hauled in four passes for 46 yards and another score. Ty Hoef had two catches for 18 yards and a touchdown for Lutheran North.

The Mustangs, who have outscored the opposition 262-160 over eight games this season, has averaged 32.8 points per game while giving up 20.0 points a contest.

Lutheran North closes the regular season at home next Friday against Flat Rock (4-4).

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Article originally posted by The Macomb Daily