SARANAC LAKE -- The first half of Saturday's meeting between Saranac and Saranac Lake was full of defensive stops while the second half was full of whistle stops as the undefeated Red Storm (5-0, 2-0) battled their way to a 28-6 victory over the Chiefs (1-4, 1-2) in Northern Football Conference play.

The teams combined for five injury timeouts and six personal fouls flags after halftime, yet 21 of Saranac Lake's points were scored after the break.

Red Storm running back Jon Barge reached the end zone three times in the game and totaled 104 yards on the ground.

"Saranac Lake has a tough, hard-nosed football team," Saranac Head Coach Mark Burrell said. "They did a good job pounding the football on the ground and moving the chains."

The Chiefs gained some momentum in the first half when Dylan Everleth intercepted a Brandon Patraw pass a series after Jason Everleth connected with Cody Wood to bring the team within a point.

But Everleth threw a pick of his own to Saranac Lake's David Snyder on the next possession, and a late-half fourth-and-one stop deep in Saranac territory was the last time the team had things working in their favor.

"We weren't completing as many passes as we should have early on, and Saranac Lake has a tough defense who were flying at us all over the place," Burrell said.

The Red Storm's Austin McDonough made an interception in the second half and Patraw hit Snyder for a 19-yard touchdown strike.

Barge also pounded in two of his three rushing scores in the second half to bring to game out of reach.

"It's a tough loss for us, but we'll have a good focused week of practice and get ready for next week," Burrell said.

Saranac Lake kicker Forrest Morgan was perfect on extra points in the game, splitting the uprights on all four of his attempts.

Saranac Lake 28, Saranac 6

Saranac 0 6 0 0 -- 6

Saranac Lake 7 0 7 14 -- 28