Last season was one to forget for the Lake Mills football team and this season the Bulldogs are making it a year to remember with a remarkable run toward the postseason.

Lake Mills has put an 0-3 start behind it and rattled off its fifth consecutive win Friday in Lake Mills.

A two-point conversion out of necessity turned out to be the difference Friday for the Bulldogs as they earned an 8-6 win over St. Edmond’s, Fort Dodge.

The Bulldogs (5-3, 5-1 Class 1A, District 2) were forced to go for the two-point conversion after Jake Brekken’s 26-yard touchdown run tied the game at 6-6 in the second quarter, because both of the team’s long snappers were injured.

The call worked out perfectly as Lake Mills quarterback Royce Brynes rolled out and found Chris Throne, who kept both feet in bounds, for the two-point conversion and an 8-6 lead.

“It was an amazing pass by Royce and an amazing catch by Throne,” said Bulldogs senior Chuck Thorson.

The Bulldog defense did the rest for three quarters as it shutout the Gaels the rest of the way.

Head coach Bill Byrnes called the defensive effort a bend-don’t break type performance, but still it was one of the better night’s the unit has seen.

“It was one of the best efforts we’ve had in the last couple of years,” Byrnes said of the defense.

St. Edmond’s had one last chance with 3.9 seconds remaining, the Gaels attempted a 42-yard field goal that fell well short and time expired.

The defense was the latest phase of the Lake Mills’ team to show improved play and it couldn’t have come at a better time. With the win the Bulldogs remained tied for second place in the district and have a chance to clinch a share of the district title with a victory over No. 2-ranked Emmetsburg next Friday in Emmetsburg.

“Five weeks ago, who would have thought that