The Mercer Island football team started the season off with a hard fought game against 4A Lake Washington Friday evening at the Kangaroo’s home stadium. The Islanders held on for a 14-7 win, giving the team a 1-0 start heading into the first home game of the season this Friday.

With 8:45 left to go in the second quarter Islander quarterback Jeff Lindquist connected with junior wide receiver Ben Emauels for a 7-yard touchdown pass, putting MI on the score board first. Kicker Alex Wood made a good kick to give the team a 7-0 lead headed into half time.

The game remained the same, with both teams headed back and forth across the field looking for chances which never materialized until the fourth quarter. Lake Washington’s Alex Donnelly made a 3-yard run with 10:30 left to go in the fourth period, with a good extra point, tying the game at seven each.

Mercer Island then went on the hunt for the next several minutes until Emanuel’s snatched up a fumble, making a 49-yard return for another six points for the team. With another solid kick from Wood the Islanders once again took command of the scoreboard 14-7.

The offense featured only 27 rushing yards in the win and sophomore quarterback Jeff Lindquist picked up 14 completed passing yards, including throwing for a touchdown.

Following the game head coach Brett Ogata said the team’s defense made the game, and that they would be focusing this week in practice on getting rid of the mental offensive mistakes which plagued the team throughout the season opener.

During the Lake Washington win Treston Donovan had 8 tackles, Erik Swedstedt, a senior defensive back, had 8 tackles and Jon Wettack had a team high of 10 during the game.

The team will welcome Newport for the first home game of the season Friday night. Kick off is 7 p.m.

For more sports coverage see this week’s Mercer Island Reporter for a full fall sports preview.