Staff photo by Travis Rosenau Springfield’s Samuel Rummel (32) and Ashton Toll (20) work to bring down Lakeview quarterback Owen Louagie in the backfield on Friday night at Riverside Park in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD — Oh so close. Yet so far.

Lakeview edged Springfield 34-32 on Friday in Southwest District football action.

The Tigers kept fighting throughout the contest. Trailing 34-26, Adam Veercamp recovered a fumble by Lakeview quarterback Owen Louwagie at the 40-yard line with 2:26 remaining in the fourth quarter. A pass interference call against Lakeview breathed life into the Tigers as they were able to score on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Brendon Buerkle to MaCoy Krick. Springfield tried to go for the 2-point PAT, but it was not good.

Springfield made a squib kick to Lakeview on the ensuring kickoff. Lakeview took possession at the 36-yard line. The Lakers quarterback took a knee on three consecutive snaps from center to ensure the victory for Lakeview.

Earlier in the fourth quarter, Springfield continued to chip away at the deficit. Buerkle hit Tate Mathiowetz for a 47-yard touchdown pass with 8:35 left in the game. Ashtin Johnson’s run for 2 points had the Tigers down 34-20.

With 6:03 left, Buerkle found Krick again for a 26-yard touchdown pass. The 2-point PAT was unsuccessful, making it 34-26 Lakeview.

Louwagie handed off the ball to Kosel on a slant run for what turned out to be the Lakers’ winning touchdown with 10:17 left. Louwagie tried to set up a play for the 2-point PAT, but the Springfield defense tackled him in the backfield. The score was 34-12 at that point.

Lakeview took advantage of a Springfield fumble early in the first quarter. Louwagie pitched the ball to Clayton Kosel for a 2-yard TD run with 1:12 left in the quarter. Louwagie tossed the ball to William Myers for the 2-point PAT, making it 8-0 Lakeview.

The Lakers opened the second half with an 82-yard kickoff return. Louwagie tried to pass the ball for the 2-point PAT, but it was unsuccessful and the score was 28-6 Lakeview.

Springfield’s Buerkle hit Sam Pidde with a 65-yard touchdown run at the 10:39 mark of the third quarter. The Tigers went for the 2-point PAT, but it failed, and it was 28-12 Lakeview.

Buerkle had 313 yards passing and five TDs to lead the Tigers, while Carter Olson had six catches for 81 yards, Krick had five catches for 75 yards and Pidde had four catches for 77 yards. Ashton Toll had 12 tackles to lead Springfield’s defense and Caleb Hauger added eight tackles.