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For the first time in eight years, the Lakota West football program has won its first six regular season games. Its most recent win, a 48-18 victory against Greater Miami Conference foe Princeton, improved its conference record to 3-0.

Lakota West junior quarterback Malik Grove rushed for four touchdowns and threw for more than 100 yards in a 48-18 win against Princeton Sept. 28, 2012. Photo taken of Grove by Joseph Fuqua II in a 30-13 win against Mason Sept. 14.

Against the Vikings, Lakota West trailed 18-14 at halftime, but scored 24 unanswered in the second half. Junior quarterback Malik Grove led the way with three rushing touchdowns in the second half. The junior also rushed for another touchdown in the first quarter, as well as completed 7-of-19 passes for 108 yards.

The Firefirds leading rusher was sophomore Kole Gentry, who finished with a career-high 117 rushing yards on 17 carries. Prior to the Princeton game, Gentry had been averaging 42 rushing yards per game. His previous career high was 53 rushing yards in the Firebirds’ 30-13 win against Mason Sept. 14.

Defensively, Lakota West received a strong performance from Eli McBurrows, who recorded a team-high 11 tackles (eight solo and three assisted) in the win against Princeton. Heading into Friday’s game, the senior had a total of 12 tackles combined in five games.

The win should help steady the Firebirds’ position in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Region 4 computer rankings. Heading into the matchup, Lakota West was ranked No. 2 in the region, behind GMC rival Colerain (6-0 overall, 3-0 in GMC). At the conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams in the region’s computing rankings will qualify for the postseason.

Next Friday, Oct. 5, Lakota West will go on the road to face Oak Hills (4-2 overall, 2-1 in GMC). The Highlanders are coming off back-to-back road wins at Princeton, 32-19, and at Middletown, 27-26. Their two losses this season were at Loveland, 17-0, and vs. Lakota East, 40-20.

After the Oak Hills contest, Lakota West will have three games left in the regular season – at home against Middletown (2-4 overall, 1-2 in GMC) Oct. 12, on the road at Colerain Oct. 19 and at home against school district rival Lakota East (5-1 overall, 3-0 in GMC) Oct. 26.

Box score to be posted later on the Greater Miami Conference website.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Kole Gentry, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West High School, Lakota West sports, Malik Grove, Malik Grove football recruiting, Malik Grove Lakota West

Lakota West quarterback Malik Grove, photo taken earlier this season, threw two touchdown passes in a 32-8 win against Fairfield Friday. So far this season, Grove has helped guide Lakota West to a 5-0 overall record. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II.

Junior quarterback Malik Grove threw for two touchdowns and junior running back Mikel Horton ran for two more, as Lakota West defeated Fairfield by the score of 32-8 Friday night.

Horton scored the game’s first touchdown on a 2-yard run early in the first quarter. He added his second rushing touchdown early in the third quarter, which gave the Firebirds a 32-0 lead.

Overall, Horton finished with 113 rushing yards on 23 carries. In five games this season, Horton has rushed for 654 yards and nine touchdowns on 129 carries.

Meanwhile, Grove completed 9-of-14 passes for 94 yards, and rushed for 84 yards on 10 carries. Grove’s touchdown passes both came in the second quarter. His first was a 7-yard strike to junior Jarin Higginbotham with 9:16 left in the first half and his second was a 17-yard pass play to senior Grant Pence with 45 seconds on the clock.

Defensively, Lakota West limited Fairfield to only 127 yards of total offense. Junior Tony Gabbard had 1.5 sacks in the win, upping his season total to 3.5. Senior defensive back Michael Carter had an interception in the game against Fairfield. It was Carter’s second INT of the season.

The win improves the Firebirds record to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Greater Miami Conference. The last time Lakota West won its first five games of the season was in 2004.

Fairfield, on the other hand, falls to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the GMC with the loss.

Next Friday at 7:30 p.m., Lakota West will host Princeton (0-5 overall, 0-2 in GMC) and Fairfield will be at Sycamore (4-1 overall, 1-1 in GMC).

LW – Horton 2 run (Martin kick)
LW – Martin 40-yard FG
LW – Higginbotham 7-yard pass from Grove (Martin kick)
LW – Pence 17-yard pass from Grove (Martin kick)
LW – Horton 8-yard run (Kirwen reception)
F – Stallworth 2-yard run (Byrd reception)

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Tags: Tags: Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Malik Grove, Malik Grove football recruiting, Malik Grove Lakota West, Mike Williams, Mikel Horton, Mikel Horton football recruiting, Mikel Horton Lakota West

Lakota West senior Tyler Cross loses his helmet as he makes a tackle in game against La Salle Aug. 25, 2012. Cross intercepted a pass and returned 17 yards for a touchdown in that game and, later on in the year, he intercepted two passes in a win against Mason. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

Lakota West (4-0 overall, 1-0 in GMC), which is ranked No. 5 in The Cincinnati Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll, will visit Fairfield (2-2 overall, 0-1 in GMC) this Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Firebirds are coming off a convincing 30-13 win against rival Mason, while Fairfield lost last week to Middletown by the score of 41-26.

Lakota West: The Firebirds are off to their best start since 2006. If they can defeat Fairfield this Friday, the Firebirds will be 5-0 for the first time since 2004. Due to that start, Lakota West opened this Tuesday No. 3 in Region 4 of the OHSAA computer rankings (top eight teams qualify for postseason). In the win against Mason, Lakota West was leading 30-0 in the fourth quarter. So far this year, Lakota West has outscored its opponents 145-54. Helping the offense has been the play of juniors Mikel Horton, Malik Grove and Tyler Jones. Horton has 541 yards and seven touchdowns on 106 carries, while Jones has 10 receptions for 119 yards. Grove has completed 33-of-68 passes for 466 yards and four touchdowns and has only one interception. Junior kicker Justin Martin has also been a bright spot – converting four of his five field goal attempts and making 13 of 15 extra points. Defensively, Lakota West has nine sacks, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and five interceptions. Leading the secondary, senior Tyler Cross has three interceptions including two last week and one in Week 1 against La Salle that went for a 17-yard score. As a team, Lakota West is averaging around 341 yards of total offense and giving up approximately 256 yards on defense.

Fairfield: After starting the year 2-0, the Indians have lost back-to-back games. The latest loss, 41-26, to Middletown, Fairfield trailed 34-0 at halftime. The Indians were able to add six points in the third quarter and 20 in the fourth. Offensively, Fairfield likes to spread the ball around. Overall, a total of eight Indians have at least one carry. Senior running back Todd Hoard leads the team with 189 yards and three touchdowns on 43 carries. As a team, Fairfield has rushed for 637 yards and eight touchdowns on 151 carries. A total of six players have rushed for more than 60 yards. The team also uses two quarterbacks. Junior Ryan Nuss has completed 17-of-35 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown, but he has thrown three interceptions. Senior Miles Harris has completed 19-of-33 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Fairfield has recorded 10 sacks, forced two fumbles, recovered four fumbles and has three interceptions. Statistically, senior Mike Williams leads the Indians’ defense with three sacks, a fumble recovery and two interceptions.

Bottom line: After finishing 1-9 in 2011 and 2-8 in 2010, Fairfield appeared to be on the mend when it won its first two games this season. Similarly, Lakota West, which has had back-to-back 3-7 seasons, got off to a 2-0 start this year with a 46-34 win against La Salle and a 34-0 win at Glen Este in Week 2. Unlike Fairfield, Lakota West has appeared to get stronger – defeating Anderson 35-7 and rival Mason 30-13 in last two weeks. With the Firebirds playing so well, they have to be considered the favorite. However, they can’t overlook any team in the GMC.

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Tags: Tags: Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Malik Grove, Malik Grove football recruiting, Malik Grove Lakota West, Mike Williams, Mikel Horton, Mikel Horton football recruiting, Mikel Horton Lakota West, Miles Harris, Ryan Nuss, Todd Hoard, Tyler Cross, Tyler Jones, Tyler Jones football recruiting, Tyler Jones Lakota West

Lakota West running back Mikel Horton runs for a touchdown as he’s wrapped up by Mason defensive back Gus Thieken in the first quarter. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

Kevin Goheen reports:

It’s been six years since Lakota West has started a football season 4-0 but the Firebirds reached that mark Friday night behind a dominating defensive performance to beat Mason 30-13 Friday night at Lakota West.

Senior defensive back Tyler Cross had two interceptions and the Lakota West defense held Mason to just four first downs through the first three quarters in the Greater Miami Conference opener for both teams.

Lakota West, which went 3-7 each of the last two seasons, is ranked No. 5 in the Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll, while Mason, ranked No. 10, falls to 2-2.

“Our defense played great,” said Lakota West coach Larry Cox. “I felt like we were prepared at the Thursday practice walk-through and I felt that at walk-through for pregame. The kids executed the game plan and the coaches did a good job of calling it.”

Mason committed three turnovers plus had one punt blocked and a bad snap on another punt that led directly to 23 points for Lakota West.

Lakota West quarterback Malik Grove looks to throw during the first quarter. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

Lakota West led just 10-0 at halftime despite its decided advantages in turnovers and field position. The Firebirds’ defense held Mason to 26 net yards offense and two first downs in the first two quarters.

Mason ended the game with 190 yards offense and nine first downs. Lakota West finished with 356 yards offense and 21 first downs.

Mason forced Lakota West to punt on the opening possession of the third quarter but went three-and-out and punted the ball back to the Firebirds.

Junior quarterback Malik Grove hit senior wide receiver Grant Pence for a 37-yard touchdown pass on a third-and-15 play that gave the Firebirds some breathing room, 16-0.

Lakota West junior running back Mikel Horton carried the ball 24 times for 105 yards and scored three touchdowns, all following a Mason turnover or mistake in the punt game that gave the Firebirds short fields.

Darryl Johnson was leading the GMC with 543 yards rushing coming into the game but was held to 98 yards on 24 carries, most of which came in the fourth quarter after Lakota West had taken a 30-0 lead. Johnson scored a pair of touchdowns, including a 32-yard run around the right side that gave Mason its first points.

Mason started sophomore Rodney Hutchinson at quarterback. Lakota West focused its defensive efforts on stopping Johnson and making Hutchinson beat them.

Cross’ first interception set up Horton’s opening touchdown of the game. His second pick stopped a Mason possession after the Comets had recovered a muffed punt in Lakota West territory.

“He was turning his shoulder and I was just reading him. He’s inexperienced,” said Cross. “This is great. I don’t know what it feels like (being 4-0). It’s good. We’ve just got to keep working.”

LW – Horton 1 run (Martin kick)
LW – Martin 30 FG
LW – Grove 37 pass to Pence (kick blocked)
LW – Horton 1 run (Martin kick)
LW – Horton 13 run (Martin kick)
M – Johnson 32 run (Patterson kick)
M – Johnson 1 run (run failed)

Records: Mason 2-2 (0-1 GMC), Lakota West 4-0 (1-0).

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Grant Pence, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Larry Cox, Malik Grove, Malik Grove football recruiting, Malik Grove Lakota West, Mikel Horton, Mikel Horton football recruiting, Mikel Horton Lakota West, Rodney Hutchinson, Tyler Cross, Tyler Jones, Tyler Jones football recruiting, Tyler Jones Lakota West

Kevin Goheen reports:

Larry Cox likes to look at the first three games of the high school season as preseason contests for his Lakota West program. While the comparison to an NFL schedule isn’t fully equivalent – these first games all actually count – Mason’s Brian Castner can relate to Cox’s belief.

Lakota West junior Mikel Horton rushed for 239 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries in the 46-34 Lakota West’s season-opening win against La Salle Aug. 25 in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

With their non-league games past them, Lakota West and Mason meet Friday night at Lakota West in each team’s Greater Miami Conference opener.

“When the league starts, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re in the GCL or GMC or any league you can smell it in the air,” said Castner.

Lakota West, which is off to its first 3-0 start since 2006, is ranked No. 5 in this week’s Enquirer Division I area coaches’ poll, while Mason (2-1) is ranked No. 10.

Mason has had to replace 17 starters from last season’s playoff team and is starting sophomore Rodney Hutchinson at quarterback. Senior running back Darryl Johnson leads the GMC with 543 yards rushing while the defense, led by senior linebacker Andrew Hauser, has held opponents to just 16 points in three games.

Lakota West is averaging 38.3 points per game, led by junior running Mikel Horton (436 yards rushing) and junior quarterback Malik Grove (303 yards passing).

Cox is in his 16th season at Lakota West. He has led the program since its inception and the Firebirds have never had three consecutive losing seasons. They were 3-7 each of the last two seasons.

“We’ve got some athleticism, more than we’ve had in the past and I think the kids are playing with a little bit of confidence but that’s also a double-edged sword,” said Cox. “You want them to play with confidence but you don’t want them to be cocky. You’ve got to temper that success with reality. We always talk to the kids about that in everything we do and it’s the hardest thing to teach a high school kid.”

Lakota West has beaten La Salle, Glen Este and Anderson to start its season. Mason has wins against Lancaster and Glen Este following a 10-7 loss to undefeated Springboro in its opener.

Hutchinson is growing into his role as quarterback. Johnson is the lone returning starter on offense and the Comets lost two quarterbacks before the season started. Hutchinson has stepped in and played well, according to Castner.

“The first game against Springboro, he had a very solid night. He didn’t lose us the game, he didn’t win us the game but he did what he needed to do. He did his job,” said Castner. “The last couple of weeks he’s trying to make some progress in certain areas and he’s still progressing, still maturing.”

Lakota West has been more balanced offensively, although he rushing attack behind and offensive line that features seniors Ben Pendery (6-2, 295) and Kyle Meadows (6-5, 270) is at the forefront. Horton (6-2, 225) is more of a downhill style while sophomore Kole Gentry and senior Eric Ellis have worked into the rotation with more speed.

“They bring different things to the table so I feel really good about our depth in that respect,” said Cox. “This is going to be a nip-and-tuck ball game. It’s going to be tight.”

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Darryl Johnson, Darryl Johnson Mason, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Malik Grove, Malik Grove football recruiting, Malik Grove Lakota West, Mason football, Mikel Horton, Mikel Horton football recruiting, Mikel Horton Lakota West

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.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Malik Grove, Malik Grove football recruiting, Malik Grove Lakota West, Mikel Horton, Mikel Horton football recruiting, Mikel Horton Lakota West, Tyler Jones, Tyler Jones football recruiting, Tyler Jones Lakota West

Lakota West hosted Anderson Friday, Sept. 7, 2012. The game lasted for one offensive play before a lightning delay went into effect. The game picked up Saturday and Lakota West won the contest 35-7. Photo taken by Mark Ferland of ferlandfotos.smugmug.com.

Lakota West continued its strong start this season with a 35-7 win against Anderson Saturday. The win gives the Firebirds their first 3-0 start since the 2006 season.

Lakota West scored first with a 6-yard touchdown run by junior running back Mikel Horton in the 2nd quarter. Horton added another touchdown run in the 3rd quarter and finished the contest with 109 rushing yards on 23 carries.

Also getting in the end zone twice, fellow junior Malik Grove scored on runs of 8 and 10 yards in the 4th quarter. The quarterback completed 11-of-17 passes for 104 yards and threw an interception, as well as rushing for 37 yards on 9 carries.

Grove’s top two targets, senior tight end Dustin Parker (53 receiving yards) and junior Tyler Jones (29 receiving yards), each finished with 4 receptions. Ironically, Jones and Parker competed with Grove for the starting quarterback duties in the summer of 2011. Jones, who has received interest from Cincinnati, also battled for the starting QB job this past summer.

On special teams, Jones provided a spark by returning 4 punts for a total of 80 yards – his longest was a 40-yard return. Senior teammate Romelo White provided the game’s second touchdown when he ran back the opening kickoff of the second half, 77 yards for the score.

Defensively, senior linebacker Mike Kelly, senior defensive lineman Ryan Martin and senior defensive tackle Adam Miller each recorded a sack for Lakota West.

The game was originally scheduled to take place on Friday, but storms in the area caused it to be postponed to Saturday.

L – Horton 6-yard run (Martin kick)
L – White 77-yard kickoff return (Martin kick)
L – Horton 2-yard run (Pence run)
A – Bradley 28-yard run (Penley kick)
L – Grove 8-yard run (Martin Kick)
L – Grove 10-yard run (kick failed)

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Tags: Tags: Dustin Parker, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Malik Grove, Malik Grove football recruiting, Malik Grove Lakota West, Mikel Horton, Mikel Horton football recruiting, Mikel Horton Lakota West, Tyler Jones, Tyler Jones football recruiting, Tyler Jones Lakota West

Lakota West celebrates after sophomore running back Kole Gentry scores on a 19-yard run in what turned out to be a 46-34 win against La Salle Aug. 25. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II.

Students, parents, fans and community members will chow down at the annual pig roast prior to the Anderson (0-2) at Lakota West (2-0) football game this Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Anderson: The Redskins lost their first two games this season – 38-7 to Sycamore Aug. 24 and 43-38 to Withrow last Friday. The loss against Sycamore was to be expected. The Aves, currently ranked No. 6 in The Cincinnati Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll, made the postseason in 2011. In the Anderson game, Sycamore led 38-0 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Last week, Anderson, which is ranked No. 10 in The Enquirer Division II-IV coaches’ poll, led Withrow 28-14 at halftime, but was outscored 29-10 in the second half. In the loss, the Redskins had 517 yards of total offense – outgaining Withrow, which had 445 total yards. Offensively, in those two games, some strong weapons have emerged in junior quarterback Kevin Rogers (16-of-39, 180 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs and 141 rushing yards and 2 TDs on 34 carries), senior running back Kamel Bradley (400 rushing yards and 2 TDs on 45 carries) and senior wide receiver Jared Cook (8 rec. 134 yards and a TD). In last week’s loss, Bradley rushed for 308 yards and 2 TDs on 29 carries (10.6 yards per carry). Defensively, Anderson has had trouble keeping its opponents out of the endzone. In those two losses, Anderson has allowed an average of 393.5 yards and 40.5 points per game.

Lakota West: After an impressive 46-34 win against La Salle in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown in Week 1, Lakota West improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2006 when it defeated Glen Este by the score of 34-0 last Friday. Defensively, Lakota West limited the Trojans to only 122 yards of total offense. Meanwhile, Lakota West, which is currently ranked No. 7 in The Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll, piled up 257 yards on offense and scored 5 TDs. Leading the Firebirds’ offense for the second straight week, junior running back Mikel Horton gained a total of 138 yards (77 rushing and 61 receiving) on offense. Through two games, Horton has rushed for 316 yards and 2 touchdowns on 58 carries. Junior classmate, quarterback Malik Grove, completed 6-of-11 passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns. Grove also rushed for 25 yards on 8 carries. On the year, Grove has completed 10 of his 29 pass attempts for 199 yards and 3 TDs. Most importantly, he has not thrown a single INT.

Bottom line: Anderson has the offensive firepower to challenge Lakota West. That being said, the Redskins’ defense will have trouble stopping Horton and the Firebirds’ offense. Furthermore, after blanking fellow Eastern Cincinnati Conference opponent Glen Este on the road, 34-0, one would think Lakota West should power through Anderson Friday. However, Lakota West trailed Anderson 16-13 midway through the 4th quarter last year before winning 20-16. Anything can happen, but Lakota West is still the heavy favorite in their home opener.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Jared Cook, Kamel Bradley, Kevin Rogers, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Malik Grove, Malik Grove football recruiting, Malik Grove Lakota West, Mikel Horton, Mikel Horton football recruiting, Mikel Horton Lakota West

Lakota West junior quarterback Malik Grove threw for 2 touchdowns in a 34-0 win against Glen Este Aug. 31, 2012. Photo taken in a game against La Salle Aug. 25, 2012 by Joseph Fuqua II.

The Lakota West football program is 2-0 for the first since 2006 after it defeated Glen Este on the road Friday night by the score of 34-0.

Offensively, the Trojans controlled the clock – winning the time of possession battle by eating 30:45 minutes of the game clock compared to the 17:15 minutes that the Firebirds controlled the football.

However, Glen Este gained only 122 of total offense and failed to get on the scoreboard, while Lakota West scored five touchdowns and totaled 257 yards on offense.

Leading the Firebirds’ offense for the second straight week, junior running back Mikel Horton gained a total of 138 yards (77 rushing and 61 receiving) on offense. Through two games, Horton has rushed for 316 yards and 2 touchdowns on 58 carries.

Junior classmate, quarterback Malik Grove, completed 6-of-11 passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns. Grove also rushed for 25 yards on 8 carries.

Junior running back Jordan Harris led Glen Este with 78 rushing yards on 19 carries.

The Eastern Cincinnati Conference provided statistics in this article.

*scoring breakdown not posted due to potential errors

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Tags: Tags: Jordan Harris, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Malik Grove, Malik Grove football recruiting, Malik Grove Lakota West, Mikel Horton, Mikel Horton football recruiting, Mikel Horton Lakota West

Lakota West quarterback Malik Grove started the season opener against La Salle last Saturday, a game the Firebirds won 46-34. Grove ended up throwing for 103 yards and a touchdown in the win. Photo taken Aug. 25, 2012 by Joseph Fuqua II.

Lakota West (1-0), fresh off a season-opening win against La Salle, will visit Glen Este (1-0) this Friday night at 7:30 p.m.

Lakota West: Offensively, led by junior running back Mikel Horton, the Firebirds were able to hang on to a 46-34 win against La Salle last Saturday. In the win, Horton rushed for 239 and two fourth quarter touchdowns on 43 carries. Fellow junior Malik Grove started the game at quarterback, completing 4 of his 18 attempts for 103 yards and a score. Grove competed for the job this summer with junior Tyler Jones, who started the first seven games of the 2011 season. In 2012, instead of lining up under center, Jones lined up at wide receiver. During the game, Grove was able to connect with Jones on a 49-yard pass play. As the season goes on, the two should improve on their timing. Also, in the win, junior kicker Justin Martin made all three of his field goal attempts and Lakota West didn’t commit a single turnover, while La Salle committed five.

Glen Este: Last week, the Trojans took care of business against Amelia with a 42-7 season-opening win. In the victory, junior running back Jordan Harris scored touchdowns on runs of 55, 4 and 8. Overall, the 5-foot-5 back finished with 101 rushing yards on 13 carries. On defense, senior lineman Victor Cave, who has signed on to play football at the University of Toledo, recorded two sacks in the win. His teammate, sophomore Peyton Burdick also had two interceptions. Overall, Glen Este outgained its opponent 323-to-123 and didn’t commit a single turnover, while their opponent committed four.

Bottom line: Lakota West defeated a good team last weekend and moved up to No. 7 in The Cincinnati Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll this week. Meanwhile, Glen Este defeated a Amelia program that it defeated by the score of 35-0 in 2011. After last year’s season-opening victory, the Trojans went 3-6 the rest of the way, which included a 42-7 loss handed down by its only GMC opponent, Mason. With that in mind, Lakota West appears to be the favorite.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Jordan Harris, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Malik Grove, Malik Grove football recruiting, Malik Grove Lakota West, Mikel Horton, Mikel Horton football recruiting, Mikel Horton Lakota West, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Peyton Burdick, Tyler Jones, Tyler Jones football recruiting, Tyler Jones Lakota West, Victor Cave, Victor Cave Toledo