The start of region play began Friday and for Lakeview that meant facing the No. 1 ranked team in Class A, the Wesleyan Wolves, who would leave Jock Horner field with a 45-0 win over Lakeview Academy.

Lakeview (1-3, 0-1 Region 8-A) controlled the clock in the first half, thanks in part to a 14-play drive that took up 10:31 of time.

“To do that against that defense, who hasn’t been scored upon all year long and at least give us a chance to score is a credit to our kids,” Lakeview coach Matthew Gruhn said.

Lakeview ran double the number of plays that Wesleyan had in the first half (34-17) but saw itself on the wrong end of the scoreboard at the half, 28-0.

The Lions made the Wolves (5-0, 1-0) earn every point and put together a stout effort that saw the score only 14-0 late into the second quarter.

“Our kids played hard and competed,” Gruhn said. “We gave them everything we had. They are just an awfully good football team.”

Wesleyan quarterback Conor Welton was the star of the first half, going 8-for-9 with 152 yards and three touchdowns to lead his team to victory.

Matthew Askounis intercepted a pass for Lakeview and returned it all the way to the Wesleyan 25. A subsequent pass interference penalty against the Wolves placed the ball on the 12-yard line and it looked like the Lions would put the first points of the year on the scoreboard against the Wolves. But Lakeview found themselves in a fourth and long situation and missed a field goal from 41 yards out.

Lakeview will have an off week before they hit the road to play Social Circle on Oct. 9.