RATHDRUM - After an 0-4 start last year, and a sluggish start the season before, the Lake City Timberwolves were looking for a better beginning to the 2010 campaign Friday night.

Lake City churned out 459 yards of total offense and the defense also played well as the 5A Timberwolves beat the 4A Lakeland Hawks 41-7 in the season opener for both teams at Corbit Field.

"It's a completely different start of the season than it has been the last two years, which puts a smile on my face," said Lake City coach Van Troxel, whose team went 3-7 last year, 4-6 in 2008. "I saw enough good things. Both running backs ran hard, the receivers caught the ball. What I was really pleased with early was, the defense got after it and really swarmed to the football. That's going to be huge, plus compared to where we were the last two years."

Quarterback Mark Smyly completed 9 of 13 passes for 166 yards, and showed nice touch on all three of his touchdown passes - 15 yards over the cornerback to Colton Carlson on the seventh play of the game, 28 yards to Robbie Quinn down the middle late in the first half, and 22 yards to Scott Turner in the third quarter.

Nine different players ran the ball — all in the first half — for the Timberwolves, who played reserves early and often. Smyly led the way with 50 yards on eight carries, Lake City rushed for 270 yards, and Jacob Bowman and Chris Williams ran for touchdowns.

Lakeland had just two first downs in the first half — coming on its first and last plays of the half — and was outgained 265-48 in total offense. The Hawks finished with 194 total yards, 22 coming on a touchdown pass from Eric Cooper to Daniel Whitesitt midway through the fourth quarter.

“We were still making a lot of stupid mistakes,” said Lakeland coach Tim Kiefer, whose squad was coming off a 2-8 season. “How many times did we jump offsides? I don’t think that there was one play in the first half that everybody on our team executed what they were supposed to do. There was always somebody that was doing something wrong. I know that’s normal for the first game, but when you play a team like Lake City, that’s what happens.”

Lakeland’s first drive ended when Lake City’s Beau Martz stepped in front of a Cooper pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

Lakeland punted on six of its next seven possessions, as linebacker Brian Griswold led the defensive charge that held the Hawks to 5 rushing yards in the first half. Lake City led 28-0 at halftime.

“Our defense stepped it up a lot,” Smyly said. “We still have a lot to work on, but it was a good first win.”

“One of the keys with this group is just developing some confidence, and believing in themselves,” Troxel said.

Next Friday, Lake City plays host to Mountain View of Meridian, and Lakeland is home vs. Colville (Wash.).

Lake City 14 14 6 7 — 41

Lakeland 0 0 0 7 — 7

LC — Colton Carlson 15 pass from Mark Smyly (Brian Griswold kick)

LC — Beau Martz 50 interception return (Griswold kick)

LC — Jacob Bowman 1 run (Griswold kick)

LC — Robbie Quinn 28 pass from Smyly (Griswold kick)

LC — Scott Turner 22 pass from Smyly (kick failed)

LL — Daniel Whitesitt 22 pass from Eric Cooper (Cody Vandever kick)

LC — Chris Williams 3 run (Griswold kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — LC, Smyly 8-50, Bowman 7-38, Carmichael 7-43, Childers 4-21, Traverse 2-14, Mitchell 2-40, Williams 6-15, Hewitt 4-45, Carlson 1-4. LL, Cederblom 7-39, Kedish 4-7, Mallory 2-24, Pokorny 5-5, Thorne 3-27, Cooper 2-(-9).

PASSING — LC, Smyly 9-13-0-166, Traverse 2-3-0-23. LL, Cooper 10-23-1-101.

RECEIVING — Childers 3-31, Carlson 3-38, Carmichael 1-53, Quinn 2-35, Turner 2-32, LL, Thorne 2-27, Arno 2-19, Whitesitt 4-40, Cederblom 1-6, Grey 1-9.