In a matchup of playoff teams from a year ago, a defensive struggle prevailed for three quarters before the Lehigh Lightning struck twice in the fourth quarter, to cap a comeback victory Friday night over the Ida Baker Bulldogs 24-13.

Leading by one point midway through the fourth, the Bulldogs had just forced and recovered a fumble in Lightning territory, and where looking to add to their lead when Lehigh captain Jamaris Brown intercepted and returned it 39 yards to the Baker 25-yard line. Two plays later, running back Curtavious Thornton took the option pitch from quarterback Malik Simmons and beat a Bulldog defender around the end. He hurdled two more defenders to get into the end zone. Thornton added another touchdown late in the game to seal the win for the Lightning.

“It’s a tough loss. We just did not make enough plays on offense tonight,” said Baker coach Brian Conn. “Our defense played outstanding for three quarters, they were gassed at the end. We have a lot of guys going both ways and we need to improve our conditioning.”

After a scoreless first quarter, which saw a draw by Simmons for a touchdown get called back on a penalty, Baker took advantage of a Lehigh mishap in the second quarter to score the first points of the game. After a run for no gain, quarterback Sean Francis tossed to runningback Jeremy Betts, who took a few steps then threw the ball across the field to a wide-open Tyler Iverson, who walked into the end zone.

After another Simmons touchdown was nullified by a penalty, the Bulldogs capitalized on a Lightning fumble they recovered inside the Lehigh 20-yard line. They had to settle for Cody Kluesner’s 37-yard field goal to put the Bulldogs up by 10.

It did not take long for Lehigh to respond as junior Issac Reed took the kickoff at the 11-yard line and sprinted down the home sidelines for a TD that counted. The extra-point was blocked, leaving the Lightning down 10-6 going into the half.

Coming out of halftime with the lead, the Bulldogs surrendered the lead on the third play of the opening drive. Simmons, who faked a handoff left then bootlegged right followed a blocker 45 yards for a touchdown.

The Bulldogs answered with a lengthy drive that included a 31-yard pass by Francis, that put them inside the 5-yard line, where they settled for a field goal, and a 13-12 lead going into the fourth quarter.

“Francis is our rock,” says Conn. “The other guys play off him and he kept us in the game.”

Ida Baker 0 10 3 0 – 13

Lehigh 0 6 6 6 – 24

Second Quarter

IB – Jeremy Betts 31 pass to Tyler Iverson (Cody Kluesner kick)

IB – FG, Kluesner 37

L – Issac Reed 89 kickoff return (kick blocked)

Third Quarter

L – Malik Simmons 45 run (failed)

IB – FG, Kluesner 20

Fourth Quarter

L – Curtavious Thornton 25 run (failed)

L – Thornton 40 run (failed)