Lakota West junior quarterback Malik Grove has helped Lakota West get off to 3-0 start this fall, which is its best start since 2006. Photo taken during game between La Salle and Lakota West Aug. 25, 2012 by Joseph Fuqua II.
Lakota West (3-0) will enter conference play with a perfect 3-0 record for the first time since 2006 when it hosts Greater Miami Conference rival Mason (2-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Mason: After losing its season opener, 10-7, against Springboro, Mason has won back-to-back football games at Lancaster (20-6) and vs. Glen Este (27-3). In the latest victory, Mason senior Darryl Johnson rushed for 228 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. It was his second straight game where he rushed for more than 200 yards and had three touchdowns. In three games this season, Johnson has rushed for 543 yards and six touchdowns on 79 carries. Overall, largely led by Johnson, Mason is averaging 296 yards of total offense and 18 points per game. Defensively, however, appears to be the strength of the Comets – limiting opponents to an average of 215 yards and only 6.3 points per game. One of the leaders of the defense is senior safety Corey Quallen, who has offers from Mid-American Conference programs. Another standout on that side of the ball is senior linebacker Andrew Hauser, who recorded two sacks in last week’s win against Glen Este.
Lakota West: The Firebirds have outscored their opponents 115-to-41 in three games this season. The offense, led by junior running back Mikel Horton, is averaging roughly 328 yards and 38 points per game. Horton, who is averaging around 145 rushing yards per contest, has 436 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 82 carries. Meanwhile, junior quarterback Malik Grove has completed 21-of-46 passes for 303 yards and has three touchdown passes and one interception in three games. Grove has completed passes to six different receivers and his top target has been junior Tyler Jones, who has six receptions for 76 yards this season. Defensively, the Firebirds have six sacks, recovered three fumbles and have three interceptions. As a team, they are giving up roughly 278 yards and 14 points per game.
Bottom line: These two programs didn’t play each other last season. But, they have both played a common opponent in 2012 – Glen Este. Mason defeated the Trojans 27-3 at home last Friday, while West blanked the Trojans 34-0 on the road the week before. With both wins being so similar, one would think that this should be a even matchup. If it doesn’t turn out to be a close game, then there will be a lot learned about each program.
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