Defense propels Lancers to win over Panthers

LONG BEACH ❯❯ The Lakewood football team knew its defense would have to come up big in its Moore League matchup against Jordan on Friday.

“They start fast,” Lakewood coach Justin Utupo said of Jordan before the game. “They have playmakers, they have speed, so our defense has their hands full tonight being able to contain their playmakers.”

The Lancers were up to the task. The defense helped propel Lakewood to a 24-13 win thanks to three interceptions and nine sacks. Rovana Tufugafale led the way with three sacks for Lakewood.

Kade Casillas completed 14 of 20 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns for Lakewood (3-4, 2-1). Charlie Wright rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Caleb Tafua caught three passes for 71 yards and a TD.

The game began with two quick turnovers. After Lakewood forced a threeand-out on Jordan (4-2, 0-2), the Lancers turned it over on a botched snap that Jordan's Robert Andrus recovered at his team's 48. The next play, Lakewood's Anthony Winston Jr.'s blindside sack of Nielsen forced a fumble that was recovered by EJ Baltazar.

On the ensuing play, Casillas found Tafua on a pass up the middle that Tafua ran in for a 45-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead for Lakewood.

Jordan pulled even with Lakewood on a 56-yard TD run by Jordan Washington.

Jordan's Jarret Nielsen completed 8 of 26 passes for 144 yards and three interceptions. Jordan Washington rushed for 178 yards and two TDs on 14 carries. Deonte Tucker caught three passes for 60 yards.

Lakewood took the lead early in the second quarter. After taking a 14-yard reception to the 1-yard line, Wright ran the ball in on the next play to help Lakewood to a 14-7 lead.

Jordan nearly evened the score two minutes later. A 22-yard pass from Nielsen to Tucker and a 10-yard run by Nielsen set up a 2-yard TD run by Washington, his second of the night, to bring the score to 14-13.

On the half's final offensive possession, Lakewood looked like it had stalled out at the Jordan 40, but back-toback personal foul and illegal substitution penalties gifted the Lancers a firstand-5 on the Jordan 20 with 59 seconds left. Two plays later, Casillas found Cecil Smith for an 11-yard touchdown pass and a 21-13 lead after the extra point.

Lakewood looked to score again with five minutes left in the third quarter after an interception by Kaelib Verduzco, but a fumble near the Jordan goal line, recovered by Duke Aleamotua, ceded possession back to the Panthers.

Lakewood widened its lead to 11 when Andrew Heang converted a 32yard field goal to make it 24-13.