Unfortunately for Lakewood, Lancers are back for seconds, again
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Lakewood has won six of its last seven games, but the strong stretch run will only be good enough for second place in the Moore League -- at best.
The Lancers (6-3, 4-1) face visiting Compton (8-1, 4-1) in a late-season battle for second place for the second year in a row. Lakewood finished second last season behind Poly but ahead of Compton after beating the Tarbabes, 42-21, in the second-to-last regular-season game of the year.
‘It’s reality, I guess, but second place is not what we’re going for,’ said Thadd MacNeal, in his second season as the Lancers’ coach. ‘We’re trying to change the whole attitude about that, and that will never be our mind-set. The goal will always be the same, to be 10-0 and win the league championship.’
Poly defeated the Lancers, 13-6, on Sept. 28, and barring an upset loss to Long Beach Jordan in their regular-season finale Friday, the Jackrabbits (8-1, 5-0) are on course for their 27th Moore League title since 1980.
Lakewood, however, can take consolation in having played the Jackrabbits more closely than any other Poly opponent.
‘Our defense has been playing well all season, and the offense has really come along,’ MacNeal said. ‘Nothing too flashy or spectacular. We’re just playing very good, solid football.’
They’ve played well enough to average nearly 39 points in their last seven games, including a 44.2 average in six victories since they opened the season with consecutive losses to La Costa Canyon and Tesoro.
Check out the YouTube video from the Lancers’ game against La Costa Canyon.
-- Image from www.lakewoodlocal.k12.oh.us