Flannery dominates as Bluejays end season on high note

The Three Lakes-Phelps varsity football team ended its season last Friday with a 38-28 victory over Niagara on senior night at Three Lakes High School. Senior running back, Carter Flannery, lit up the hometown crowd on Friday with a career-best performance of 247 yards on the ground and four touchdowns in the victory. 

Flannery has been a four-year varsity player and was one of the top rushers in the league this season with 120 total carries for 679 yards and seven touchdowns, despite missing four games due to a hand injury. 

In a rebuilding year with a new starting lineup and a new head coach, the Bluejays officially closed the year with a 4-3 record in the Northeast Conference and sole possession of fourth place.  Overall, the Jays are 5-5, which is also fourth best in the conference.

Bluejays head coach Justin Szews said after the game that he enjoys the aggressive play of Flannery.  “Tonight was a great win for our team and it is appropriate that on senior night our top senior runner absolutely took the game over with his steamrolling running style,” he said. “His performance was something special to watch as a fan and as a coach.”

Another notable senior, Doug Koshuta, had two solo tackles, six total tackles, and a fumble recovery in his final game as a member of the Bluejays. He joined the team as a freshman and has led the defense through many games in his career. This season, he has been the leader with 35 solo tackles, 94 total tackles, and four quarterback sacks.  

“Not only is he a good physical player and tackler,” coach Szews commented about Koshuta, “but Doug is a great blocker and has led the way for many fine rushing performances through the years. Tonight, his efforts helped pave the way for Carter to hit some gaps leading to his impressive yardage.”

Noah Kincaid, Trace Cottrill and Charlie Liebscher round out the list of seniors playing a final varsity game. Kincaid had three receiving touchdowns this season and is a four-year player for the Jays, while   Cottrill transferred to Three Lakes High School as a junior and had been very productive defensively before he was injured mid-season.  

Liebscher is new to Bluejays football this season and is a two-sport player who is the leading scorer for the Three Lakes-Phelps soccer team. His kick returns added a spark for the Jays this year as he racked up 281 yards and two touchdowns, while also contributing defensively with 28 tackles and two interceptions. 

Several underclassmen are expected to return next season such as Easton Lurvey, Sawyer Szews and Owen Liebscher. Lurvey was 6 of 13 for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the game against Niagara and had a nice freshman year, throwing for 882 yards and 11 touchdowns, with only a single interception. He also contributed 58 tackles and three interceptions on defense.