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It was a bad day to be a defender in Friday night’s matchup between Lakeway Christian Academy and CAK.

The teams totaled 1,110 yards of offense, combining for 116 points as the Warriors bested the Lions 65-51.

“It was just a long, back-and-forth game,” Lakeway head coach Thad Wells said. “Both sides started to get tired there towards the end there with the cramps, and just couldn’t pull away there in the third quarter and in the fourth they’re right in it, and they did a good job of finishing there at the end.”

It was a big day for Shajai Jackson, who amassed 261 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns. He did damage as a ball carrier, receiver and even as a passer.

“That’s what we try to tell recruits, he’s an every-down back. He can run between the tackles, he can run outside the tackles, he can catch the ball, we split him out to receiver and he caught a touchdown. He’s a really versatile back,” Wells said.

Levi Martin had himself a day as well, throwing for 334 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. 116 of those yards went to Jesse Stump, and 84 to Loten Potts who each had two touchdowns on the day respectively.

The Lions outgained the Warriors by 150 yards, but 137 penalty yards to CAK’s 32 negated the advantage.

“That’s 100 yards you have to make up in a close game,” Wells said. “A lot of those penalties were just our players playing tough and being aggressive, and we’re not going to get down on our guys for that. You don’t want the penalties, but it’s hard to get on your players for it.”

The Warriors also converted seven of their eight third downs on the day, leaving the defense’s tired legs on the field that much longer.

“We definitely would like to get off the field,” Wells said. “It’s a team game, it’s offense and defense, offense had to punt twice there towards the end and that was the difference in the game.”

Lakeway got the opening kick and capitalized. They pieced together a 12 play, 83-yard scoring drive capped off by a score by Jackson. The two-point conversion was good, putting the Lions up 8-0 with 6:28 remaining in the first.

After a CAK response that leveled the score, the Lions again pieced together a lengthy drive, capped off again by a 7-yard score from Jackson. Jackson appeared to be stuffed at the two-yard line, but kept his legs churning and got the push he needed for six.

A controversial ruling on the two-point conversion left the score at 14-8 with 10:06 to play in the second.

Potts was the next on the board for the Lions, rushing from eight yards out to put the Lions back on top 21-14 with 3:56 in the half.

CAK made it down to the red zone on the following drive, but the Lions forced a fumble and capitalized. It took just two plays for Martin to connect with Potts to give Lakeway the 29-15 lead with 1:52 remaining in the half.

The Lions got the ball back with 23 seconds to play after a CAK score. They appeared to execute a run play, completing a toss to Jackson that would likely take the game into the half, but Jackson looked to pass. He connected with Stump for the 64-yard score to give Lakeway the 36-22 advantage at half.

However, a couple of stagnant drives for the Lakeway offense in the third quarter allowed the Warriors to battle their way back.

Martin connected with Stump for a 32-yard score that put Lakeway back on top 51-50 after Jackson rushed in the two-point conversion, with 8:18 to go in the fourth.

The Warriors scored again, and the Lions were forced to punt, but the defense stepped up. They came up with a fumble recovery with 3:56 to play, giving the offense one last opportunity to convert.

After a trio of scrambles and incompletions from Martin, the Lions were faced with fourth-and-four, a play that would effectively decide the game.

Jackson had press coverage to Martin’s right with no safety help, and managed to get separation, but the pass fell just out of his reach, giving the Warriors the ball back with 3:04 remaining.

With the loss, the Lions fall to 3-2, 1-1 in the Region. They get another crack at their second region victory next week, as they take on Grace Christian. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. on Friday in Knoxville.

“We just told the guys you’ve got to get away from the game after something like this,” Wells said. “You don’t want to go straight to negative thoughts and negative talk. We’re going to take a break for a day or two, come back on Monday, watch some film, create a plan and try to execute it.”