Indian River prevails over Lake to claim District 3 title in clash of unbeatens

FELTON, Del. – Indian River beat the Lake Forest spartans 27-21 on Friday night in Felton.

The Spartans  built a 14-0 halftime lead behind stout defense and rushing touchdowns from Jackson Parson and Isaiah Wright.

IR struck back at the beginning of the third quarter, with Darnell Stokes taking a handoff 81 yards to house to cut the lead in half. Indian River quickly followed that score with a passing touchdown from Dylan Grise to Landon Erbe, tying the game at 14 midway through the third.

The game remained 14-14 until Stokes took a pitch eight yards into the end zone, putting Indian ahead 21-14 with just under four minutes to play.

On the ensuing kickoff, Lake’s AJ White navigated his way through a wall of defenders, returning the kick for a touchdown that knotted things back up at 21.

Starting their driver with about three minutes on the clock, Indian River got within striking distance thanks to a big play from Erbe, catching a short pass and taking it all the way down to the Spartan 25-yard line. That set up the final score of the game, a four-yard carry from Stokes with eight seconds remaining that put his team up for good.

Indian finishes the 2025 regular season with a perfect 10-0 record. With the win, IR claimed the 2A District 3 title.

Lake Forest finishes the regular season 9-1 with the loss.