LEWISTON — Turnovers turned a promising first-round Section 1AA playoff game against No. 2-seeded Lewiston-Altura into a bad dream as the No. 7-seeded Hayfield Vikings lost, 41-13 Tuesday night.

The Vikings (1-8) pushed Lewiston-Altura in the first half, nearly digging out of a 20-0 hole.

“We got down early, spotted them the lead, but we came back,” said head coach Andrew Weiers.

Hayfield cut the lead to 20-14 with a 28-yard run from Carter Pesch in the first quarter and seven-yard pass from Brady Kramer to Drew Streightiff.

The Vikings came out firing in the second half forcing Lewiston-Altura into a three and out on their first possession, but after that things unraveled.

Hayfield turned the ball over six times in the second half leading to 21 unanswered points.

“Their coach said this was the best they’ve been tested,” Weiers said. “It’s nice but I would rather be on the other end.”

Despite a record that saw only one win, Weiers said the team has made big strides from the beginning of the year.

“There are a lot of positives,” he said. “We showed them film of their first practice the kids got to watch just how far they’ve come.”

STATS

Hayfield Yards: 247

Rushing: Cole Kruger, 15 for 49; Pesch, 7 for 43.

Receiving: Matt Walters, 4 for 28

Defense: Merrick Ducharme, 11 tackles; Tanner Johnston, 10 tackles.