LAKE MILLS — The ball didn’t bounce the way of the Lake Mills football team.

On the game’s first possession, Pocahontas Area recovered its own fumble in the end zone to take a 7-0 lead, and on the ensuing possession, the Bulldogs threatened at the Indians’ 1-yard line but lost a fumble that was recovered by Pocahontas Area for a touchback.

Lake Mills (1-5, 1-3 Class 1A District 3) lost 42-0 Friday on Homecoming against Pocahontas Area (5-1, 3-0 Class 1A District 3).

“We got banged up a little tonight but kept battling,” said Bulldogs coach Bill Byrnes. “Our youth and inexperience showed.”

Freshman quarterback Cael Boehmer completed 9 of 23 passes for 51 yards and had three interceptions. Five of his completions were to senior wideout Grant Boehmer, who led Lake Mills with five catches for 33 yards. Grant Boehmer’s 14 receptions coming into the game were second in the district.

Max Bergo posted a team-high 15 carries for 45 yards for the Bulldogs. Marcus Escherich added five carries for 14 yards.

Tyler Case led Pocahontas Area’s ground game that amassed 318 yards with three touchdown runs.

Although Lake Mills has a 1-5 record, the team is fifth in the seven-team District 3 standings, and the top four teams in the district qualify for the state playoffs.

However, starting in 2016, the Iowa High School Athletic Association announced that the state-playoff qualifying teams will be cut in half as only the top two teams from each district will advance.

Pocahontas Area is at the top of the district standings and has the same overall and district records as St. Ansgar.

Lake Mills’ win was 28-24 against Eagle Grove on Sept. 25.

The Bulldogs have three regular-season opponents remaining: Bishop Garrigan (6-0, 4-0 Class A, District 3), West Fork (1-5, 1-3 Class 1A, District 3) and Emmetsburg (3-3, 2-1 Class 1A District 3).

Next, Lake Mills will play Bishop Garrigan at 7 p.m. next Friday at Algona. Although Bishop Garrigan isn’t in the same class or district, the game could have bearing on the district standings because point differential is used as a tie-breaker.

Bishop Garrigan is coming off a 37-0 win Friday over North Butler.