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Lakota East beats West and wins first playoff game

WestChesterBuzz.com will count down the area’s top 12 stories of 2012 this month, concluding with West Chester’s most discussed topic of the year on Sunday, Dec. 30.

Photo gallery of the entire football season, starting from summer camp to the playoffs. Images provided by The Cincinnati Enquirer, Barb Trimble of TrimPhotoAndVideo.com and WestChesterBuzz.com.

After losing back-to-back games against Sycamore and Mason in October, Lakota East appeared to have no shot at the postseason. However, the Thunderhawks bounced back with wins against Fairfield and Lakota West in the final weeks of the 2012 season and earned in its first postseason berth in school history.

The West win, which snapped a seven-game losing streak against its rival, and the extra points earned when Northmont, a team Lakota East defeated in Week 1, defeated Wayne in the final week of the season gave the Thunderhawks enough to sneak into the No. 7 seed in the OHSAA Region 4 postseason bracket.

Once in, Lakota East defeated No. 2 seed Springboro in its regional quarterfinal matchup.

In that game, The Panthers tied the score, 38-38, with less than a minute to play. In overtime, junior quarterback Eric Eichler put Lakota East on top by scoring on a six-yard run. On Springboro’s overtime possession, the Thunderhawks defense stopped senior Rahman Hardin before he could cross the goal line on a 4th-and-goal from the 2-yard line.

• Follow Lakota East football on WestChesterBuzz.com
• Moeller defeats Lakota East, 46-20, in regional semifinals
• Lakota East wins postseason OT thriller, 45-38, against Springboro
• Lakota East upsets rival Lakota West, 33-21

The following week, the Thunderhawks jumped out to 7-0 lead against Moeller in the regional semifinals. The Crusaders, however, were able to cruise to a 46-20 win thanks in large part to the performance of Northwestern commit Keith Watkins, who rushed for three second quarter touchdowns.

“Obviously we are really proud of our kids. We just wish we would have played better at the end here, but our seniors did a great job and I thought they battled back and fought hard in the second half,” Lakota East head coach Rick Haynes said after the game.

The loss also ended the high school career of 26 seniors.

“I hope when they look back they will be very, very proud of what they accomplished and not just focus on this one game,” Haynes said.

A few weeks later, Moeller won its eight state championship by defeating Toldeo Whitemer, 20-12, in Canton.

This story was the only Lakota High School sports story to make WestChesterBuzz.com’s list of top 12 stories in 2012. There were many other stories that just missed the cut. See below for a few stories that were honorable mentions.

• Video shows police striking patron with batons at West Chester bar
• Lakota West choir honored to be part of World Choir Games
• Former Lakota teacher gets 15 years for child porn
• Bengals help Lakota school with aging playground
• Cherokee Elementary School student hit by car on way home from school

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East High School, Lakota East Sports, Ohio football computer ranking, Ohio football postseason, Ohio football postseason Lakota East, West Chester top 12 stories of 2012, West Chester top stories of 2012

The Lakota East football team holds up its school district rivalry trophy after beating Lakota West Oct. 26, 2012. The win propelled the Thunderhawks into the postseason. This Saturday, East will play Moeller at UC. Last week, the Thunderhawks defeated Springboro in their first postseason appearance in school history. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

The athletic department at Lakota East recently released details about this Saturday’s football playoff game against Moeller.

The game will take place at the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium at 2 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased during the school day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lakota East High School’s Main Street on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Tickets purchased prior to the game at the high school cost $7 each. Tickets purchased at the game will cost $9 each.

While purchasing tickets, fans will be able to buy official Lakota East football spirit wear. Those items include short-sleeve t-shirts ($10 each), long-sleeve t-shirts ($15 each), beanies ($15 each), baseball hats ($15 each) and hoodies ($25 each).

In addition to ticket cost there will be a cost to park, which will range from $5 to $10 depending on the parking garage.

Students can also purchase tickets and get a ride on the spirit bus for a total of $10. Spirit buses will leave from the Lakota East Freshman Campus at 12:15 p.m.

WestChesterBuzz.com to provide game review, live results and game story with photos of the Lakota East vs. Moeller game

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East High School, Lakota East Sports, Ohio football computer ranking, Ohio football postseason, Ohio football postseason Lakota East

Lakota East junior Bobby Brown makes a one-handed touchdown catch in the corner of end zone on a pass from junior quarterback Eric Eichler. It was one of many scores for East, who defeated Springboro 45-38 in overtime Saturday in the regional quarterfinals. Photo taken by Barb Trimble of TrimPhotoAndVideo.com. For more photos from this game, visit http://proofs.trimphotoandvideo.com/g/110312east_spring

It took 16 years for Lakota East to earn its first trip to the postseason in school history, but it only took one try to win its first playoff game as the Thunderhawks defeated Springboro 45-38 in overtime at CareFlight Field in front of more than 5,000 cold football fans on the campus of Springboro High School Saturday.

Springboro trailed 31-14 midway through the 3rd quarter, but roared back to tie the game 38-38 with less than a minute to play. After scoring a touchdown in OT, the Thunderhawks defense then stopped senior Rahman Hardin before he could cross the goal line on a 4th-and-goal from the 2-yard line.

“I think our kids are resilient and persevered.,” Lakota East head coach Rick Haynes said. “We just kept fighting, but they just kept coming back.”

“They did a great job after everything they went through this week and we are just happy to be moving on.”

It was an emotional game for the Springboro Panthers, who lost one of their teammates this week. Prior to kickoff, Shaun Frechette was membered with a moment of silence and a balloon release. The junior lineman, who hoped to play in the NFL one day, died in a one-car crash on his way to school on Ohio 741 Thursday morning.

“It was obviously something we hadn’t planned on and it certainly shook up our week physically and emotionally, but these guys have fought through a lot of adversity and found ways to overcome,” Springboro head coach Ryan Wilhite said.

Senior Chamada Palmore races 80 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter in a 45-38 win at Springboro. It was the first postseason game in Lakota East history. Photo taken by Barb Trimble of TrimPhotoAndVideo.com. For more photos from this game, visit http://proofs.trimphotoandvideo.com/g/110312east_spring

It was the Thunderhawks, however, who spoiled the evening on their first offensive play when senior Will Mahone raced 76 yards down the visitor’s sideline to the 4-yard line. Mahone then took the next two handoffs and from 1-yard out scored 50 seconds into the contest.

Lakota East scored two more times in the first half, each time on big plays. The first one coming on a pitch from junior quarterback Eric Eichler to senior Chamada Palmore, who raced 80 yards for the touchdown. Then later, junior Bobby Brown made a one-handed catch in the corner of end zone on a pass from Eichler.

Springboro hung around, scoring on a one-yard run by junior quarterback Jack Schaaf and again on a 6-yard pass play from Schaaf to sophomore D.L. Knock with 43 seconds left in the first half, making the score 21-14.

After adding a field goal, Lakota East scored on another big play when Eichler found Brown wide open for a 58-yard touchdown on a play-action pass play that fooled the Panthers’ defense and gave the Thunderhawks a 31-14 advantage midway through the third quarter.

The two teams then traded blows.

Springboro scored when Schaaf fumbled the ball at the Lakota East 1-yard line and his tight end Jordan Rigg recovered in the end zone. Eichler then completed a 22-yard touchdown pass to linebacker Jake Chestnut, who lined at tight end, with 9:33 left in the game. The Panthers followed that with 37-yard pass play from Schaaf to senior Jake Johnson, making the score 38-28 with 7:45 left to go.

Needing points in the fourth quarter, Springboro decided to kick a field goal on a 4th-and-5 from the Lakota East 19-yard line. Senior placekicker Josh Depp converted the 36-yard attempt with 4:19 left to play, to make the score 38-31.

The Panthers then forced a three-and-out and regained possession at their own 42-yard line with 3:08 left in the game. On that drive, Schaaf converted a 4th-and-1 on a screen pass to Knock. Overall, Schaaf orchestrated a 10-play, 58-yard drive that ended on a 22-yard TD pass to Johnson with 54 seconds left in regulation.

In overtime, Springboro won the coin toss and elected to play defense. Eichler then completed an 18-yard pass to Palmore, who was tackled on the 2-yard line. A play and a false start penalty later, Eichler gave East a 45-38 lead on a 6-yard touchdown.

The Panthers then took it down from the 20-yard line to the 2, but failed to punch it in.

“We are hurting tonight because we don’t want this to end,” Wilhite said. “A chance to spend another week with this team would be a dream come true. The 2012 group will be remembered in Springboro forever.”

Lakota East will have another week to build on its legacy, as it will play Moeller in the regional semifinal at the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium at 2 p.m. next Saturday.

Lakota East 7 14 10 7 7 45
Springboro 7 7 7 17 0 38

LE – Mahone 1-yard run (Smith kick)
S – Schaaf 1-yard run (Depp kick)
LE – Palmore 80-yard run (Smith kick)
LE – Brown 25-yard catch from Eichler (Smith kick)
S – Knock 6-yard pass from Schaaf (Depp kick)
LE – Gasser 42-yard field goal
LE – Brown 58-yard catch from Eichler (Smith kick)
S – Rigg fumble recovery in end zone (Depp kick)
LE – Chestnut 22-yard catch from Eichler (Smith kick)
S – Johnson 37-yard pass from Schaaf (Depp kick)
S – Depp 36-yard field goal
S – Johnson 22-yard pass from Schaaf (Depp kick)
LE – Eichler 6-yard run (Smith kick) in OT

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East at Springboro, Lakota East at Springboro postseason, Lakota East football, Lakota East High School, Lakota East Sports, Ohio football computer ranking, Ohio football postseason, Ohio football postseason Lakota East

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The Lakota East football team holds up the trophy after beating Lakota West Oct. 26, 2012. The win propelled the Thunderhawks into the postseason. This Saturday, East will play at Springboro. It will be the program’s first postseason appearance. Photo taken by Barb Trimble of TrimPhotoAndVideo.com. For more photos from this game, visit http://proofs.trimphotoandvideo.com/g/102612east_west

A week after Lakota East defeated rival Lakota West, the Liberty Township school will come together Friday afternoon for a pep assembly to celebrate the program’s first postseason appearance in school history.

Meanwhile, in Springboro, another fan base gears up for its first playoff experience at the Division I level.

Lakota East head coach Rick Haynes describes his team, which is led by 26 seniors, as a group that takes great pride in knowing it has accomplished something that has never been done.

But, they didn’t always feel that way.

In fact, there wasn’t much hope for the playoffs until East players, who had just gotten back to its home locker room after the West game, saw a Tweet via The Enquirer that read, “Sycamore, Lakota East, Moeller all playoff locks.”

The message would make its way to Haynes, who admitted that he had “no idea” if his team was postseason bound in a postgame interview last Friday night.

“That is when I realized things might be falling into place,” said Haynes of the Tweet.

“They (the players) were very excited because they thought that once we lost to Mason that our chances were pretty much done.”

East began the season, winning five of its first six games and its first three games against Greater Miami Conference opponents until it lost back-to-back games against Sycamore (28-7) and Mason (28-13) in October.

The Thunderhawks, however, bounced back defeating Fairfield and Lakota West during the last two weeks of the season.

Then on Friday night, the West win and the extra points earned when Northmont, a team Lakota East defeated in Week 1, defeated Wayne gave the Thunderhawks enough to sneak into the No. 7 seed in the OHSAA Region 4 postseason bracket.

That slot in the bracket matches East (7-3) against the No. 2-seeded Springboro Panthers (10-0). The game will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday at CareFlight Field on the Springboro High School campus.

Similarly, Springboro qualified for the postseason for the first time since moving from D-II to D-I in 2006. The program won all of its regular season games this fall for the third time in school history and for the first time since its jump to D-I.

“When you get to this point, I don’t know if there is anything not to like about playing in November. It is going to be special,” Springboro head coach Ryan Wilhite said. “Our players are excited and that shows in practice, but that enthusiasm isn’t new. They have played that way all year.

“It makes you want to win, not just because you are competitive, but because you don’t want to stop coaching these guys. They are special group.”

Statistically, the Panthers have been special all year – averaging around 433 yards of total offense per game, while limiting opponents to an average of 239 yards.

In comparison, East is averaging 332 yards of offense and allowing 287 on defense.

Despite the gap between the two programs, statistically, the two schools play similar styles – with Springboro using a spread option to average almost 310 rushing yards per game and East using the triple option to average just more than 288 rushing yards per contest.

“One of the strengths of our offense that we are able to distribute the ball to a number of players,” Wilhite said. “It is kind of similar to what Lakota East does.

“Their fullback/quarterback/tailback are all part of that triple option and that makes it tough on a defense when you can’t just stop one thing.”

For Springboro, the trio of senior Kyle Longworth (962 yards and 7 TDs on 132 carries), senior Rahman Hardin (1,053 yards and 13 TDs on 113 carries) and junior quarterback Jack Schaaf (763 yards and 14 TDs on 73 carries) have combined to total 2,778 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns.

For East, its trio of senior Will Mahone (1,065 yards and 15 touchdowns on 178 carries), senior Chamada Palmore (548 yards and 3 touchdowns on 70 carries), and junior quarterback Eric Eichler (541 yards and 9 touchdowns on 130 carries) has also been difficult to stop for opposing defenses.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East at Springboro, Lakota East at Springboro postseason, Lakota East football, Lakota East High School, Lakota East Sports, Ohio football computer ranking, Ohio football postseason, Ohio football postseason Lakota East

The Lakota East football team holds up the trophy after beating Lakota West Oct. 26, 2012. The win propelled the Thunderhawks into the postseason. This Saturday, East will play at Springboro. It will be the program’s first postseason appearance. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

The athletic department at Lakota East released details on Tuesday about this Saturday’s football playoff game at Springboro.

The game will take place at CareFlight Field on the Springboro High School campus at 7 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased during lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lakota East High School on Wednesday and during the school day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on East’s Main Street on Thursday and Friday. Tickets purchased prior to the game at East cost $7 each. Tickets purchased at the game will cost $9 each.

While purchasing tickets, fans will be able to buy official Lakota East football spirit wear. Those items include short-sleeve t-shirts ($10 each), long-sleeve t-shirts ($15 each), beanies ($15 each), baseball hats ($15 each) and hoodies ($25 each).

In addition to ticket cost there will be a $2 parking fee, which will be collected upon entering the facility. Students can purchase tickets and get a ride on the spirit bus for a total of $10.

When parking, all Thunderhawk fans are strongly encouraged to enter the Springboro facility through the middle school entrance. The middle school entrance is the next driveway after the entrance to the high school off of 741 (If you are going north).

The playoff appearance is the first in school history for Lakota East. For Springboro, it will be its first appearance in the Division I postseason, as well.

Springboro High School is located at 1675 S. Main Street.

Final Region 4 OHSAA Football Computer Ratings

1. Colerain (10‐0) 36.6566
2. Springboro (10‐0) 32.25
3. Moeller (7‐3) 30.6306
4. Elder (7‐3) 30.4646
5. Sycamore (9‐1) 26.25
6. Wayne (7‐3) 24.6561
7. Lakota East (7-3) 23.95
8. St. Xavier (6-4) 23.0949
9. Miamisburg (7-3) 22.25
10. Lakota West (8-2) 21.75

Final Cincinnati Enquirer coaches’ poll

1. Colerain (10) 109 – (9-0)
2. Moeller 91 – (7-3)
3. Elder 79 – (7-3)
4. St. Xavier 75 – (6-4)
5. Sycamore 69 – (9-1)
6. Lakota East 61 – (7-3)
7. Lakota West 48 – (8-2)
8. Mason 23 – (6-4)
9. Lebanon 21 – (6-4)
10. Loveland 14 – (6-4)

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Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East High School, Lakota East Sports, Ohio football computer ranking, Ohio football postseason, Ohio football postseason Lakota East

The Lakota East football program will play in its first postseason game in school history this week after knocking out school district rival Lakota West with a 33-21 win on Friday.

Lakota East, which enters the postseason as the No. 7 seed in region 4, will face Springboro in the first round.

The game will take place Saturday, Nov. 3, at CareFlight Field on the Springboro High School campus at 7 p.m.

• 2012 OHSAA Boys Football Division I Regional Tournament

Springboro finished the 2012 regular season with a 10-0 overall record and was 5-0 within the Greater Western Ohio Conference South Conference.

Meanwhile, Lakota East began the season with 5-1 overall record and was 3-0 within the Greater Miami Conference before losing back-to-back games to Sycamore and Mason.

The Thunderhawks then won their last two games, against GMC foe Fairfield and at rival Lakota West.

Lakota athletic director Richard Bryant said ticket and spirit wear information will be available on Monday.

WestChesterBuzz.com will continue to provide coverage throughout the week

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Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East High School, Lakota East Sports, Ohio football computer ranking, Ohio football postseason, Ohio football postseason Lakota East

It won’t be known until early Sunday morning when the final OHSAA Region 4 computer rankings are released, but Lakota East may have spoiled Lakota West’s season with a 33-21 upset win at Lakota West High School Friday night.

Heading into the game No. 6 in the region 4 computer rankings (top eight qualify for postseason), Lakota West could have locked up its first playoff berth since 2009 with a win over its school district rival.

Meanwhile, Lakota East, which entered the week No. 11 in the computer rankings, will have to wait and see if it qualified for the postseason for the first time in school history.

“I have to be honest, I have no idea what has to happen (to make the postseason),” Lakota East head coach Rick Haynes said. “When I was at Colerain (as an assistant coach), we were always working on the projections and we didn’t even do that this year because I wanted our kids to be worried about playing well tonight.”

Whether East makes the postseason or not, the 26 seniors and other Lakota East athletes that make up the roster are proud that they were able to snap a seven-game losing streak against Lakota West.

The win is also East’s first over the Firebirds since 2004.

“We really have a great group of seniors this year and we knew we had to do this because it had just been way too long of a streak,” Lakota East senior linebacker Jake Chestnut said. “As our coaches have been saying all week, ‘we have the right group at the right time, at the right point of history to break that streak.’”

After falling behind 7-0 early in the first quarter, Lakota East senior running Chamada Palmore evened the score with a 25-yard touchdown run. Palmore, who played for the first time since breaking his left knuckle in two places during a game against Sycamore on Oct. 5, finished with 69 rushing yards on eight carries.

“Chamada had worked so hard in the offseason and was so improved from last year. It was just a shame that he had to miss the last two games for us. You could just see the anguish on his face when he couldn’t play,” Haynes said. “I was just so happy for him when the doctor cleared him to get back out there.”

Palmore wasn’t the only runner out there for the Thunderhawks, as senior running back Will Mahone finished with 102 yards on 21 carries and junior quarterback Eric Eichler rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

Eichler also scored through the air when he found senior Keith Brady for a 26-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter that put East ahead 21-7.

After Lakota West added a touchdown by way of a 16-yard pass from junior quarterback Malik Grove to junior wide receiver Tyler Jones late in the second quarter, Lakota East got on the board first in the second half when senior safety Rob Harpring returned a punt 56 yards for a touchdown to give East a 27-14 advantage.

West would add another score when Grove scored on a 1-yard run, cutting the lead to 27-21 in the third quarter.

However, trailing with 2 minutes left in the game, senior Nate Mays clinched the win for Lakota East when he intercepted Grove and returned it 25 yards for the touchdown.

For West, who started the year 8-0 for the first time in school history, the loss likely eliminates the team from postseason play and ends the 2012 season with back-to-back losses to Colerain and Lakota East.

“This team deserves a better fate,” Lakota West head coach Larry Cox said.

“I think we are a playoff team, but it is not looking good. That is a bitter pill to swallow because if we can take the No. 1 seed (Colerain) to the end of a game then we deserve to be there … but the system will not allow it.”

LW – Horton 13-yard run (Martin kick)
LE – Palmore 25-yard run (Smith kick)
LE – Eichler 3-yard run (Smith kick)
LE – Brady 26-yard pass from Eichler (Smith kick)
LW – Jones 16-yard pass from Grove (Martin kick)
LE – Harpring 56-yard punt return (kick block)
LW – Grove 1-yard run (Martin Kick)
LE – Mays 25-yard touchdown return (kick failed)

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Tags: Tags: Bobby Brown, Bobby Brown Lakota East, computer rankings, Eric Eichler, Eric Eichler Lakota East, Jake Chestnut, Jake Chestnut Lakota East, Justin Martin, Justin Martin Lakota West, Kole Gentry, Kole Gentry Lakota West, Kyle Meadows, Kyle Meadows Lakota West, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East High School, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West High School, Lakota West sports, Luke Scott, Luke Scott Lakota West, Malik Grove, Malik Grove Lakota West, Mikel Horton, Mikel Horton Lakota West, Nate Mays, Nate Mays Lakota East, Nick Bengal, Nick Bengal Lakota West, Ohio football computer ranking, Ohio football rankings, Tyler Cross, Tyler Cross Lakota West, Will Mahone, Will Mahone Lakota East

Mike Dyer reports:

Sycamore (9-1), Lakota East (7-3) and Moeller (6-3) were added to the list of locks Friday night in Division I, Region 4, according to area football playoff projections analyst Steve Shuck.

Lakota East gained a significant amount of momentum with computer points with a 33-21 upset of rival Lakota West Friday night. East is ranked No. 8 in The Enquirer Division I area coaches’ poll while West is No. 2.

Colerain (10-0), Springboro (10-0), Elder (7-3) and Huber Heights Wayne (7-3) were already locks going into Friday night, Shuck said, but the order of Division I, Region 4 became evident after games played on the final Friday of the regular season.

Colerain, ranked No. 1 in The Enquirer Division I area coaches’ poll and No. 9 nationally by USA Today, will be the top seed in Region 4. Springboro is projected to be the No. 2 seed and Lakota East is No. 7. The others are expected to be determined Saturday night.

St. Xavier (6-4) appears to be in at the No. 8 spot, according to Shuck said, so that would set up a probable rematch of St. Xavier-Colerain. The top four seeds host first-round playoff games next week. (more…)

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Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East Sports, Ohio football computer ranking

Lakota East 33, Lakota West 21 - final – Lakota East senior Derek Sasthav just intercepted Lakota West junior quarterback Malik Grove with 1:42 left in 4th quarter.

Lakota East 33, Lakota West 21 - 2:00 left in 4th quarter – Lakota East junior Nate Mays just intercepted Lakota West junior quarterback Malik Grove’s pass with 2 minutes to play. West now trails by 12 points with under two minutes to play.

Lakota East 27, Lakota West 21 - 4:33 left in 4th quarter – Lakota East just converted a 4-and-2 from the Lakota West 43-yard line with a 3-yard run by senior Will Mahone. That play gives Mahone 101 yards on 20 carries. More importantly, the play gives East the opportunity to run more clock.

Lakota East 27, Lakota West 21 - 8:21 left in 4th quarter – Lakota East was driving down the field, but junior Eric Eichler fumbled the snap which was recovered by senior defensive end Luke Scott at the Lakota West 20-yard line. However, the Firebirds just went 3-and-out.

Lakota East 27, Lakota West 21 – 3:09 left in 3rd quarter – Lakota West junior Malik Grove scored on a 1-yard TD run. On the previous play, Grove connected with junior Tyler Jones on a 59-yard pass play.

Lakota East 27, Lakota West 14 – 8:57 left in 3rd quarter – Lakota West drove down to the 3-yard line, but Lakota West junior Malik Grove threw an interception in the endzone on 4th-and-goal to Lakota East senior Tyler Schlensker.

Lakota East 27, Lakota West 14 – 10:24 left in the 3rd quarter – Lakota West went 3-and-out on the first possession of the second half. Lakota East senior Rob Harpring then returned the punt 56 yards for the touchdown. (more…)

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Tags: Tags: Bobby Brown, Bobby Brown Lakota East, computer rankings, Eric Eichler, Eric Eichler Lakota East, Jake Chestnut, Jake Chestnut Lakota East, Justin Martin, Justin Martin Lakota West, Kole Gentry, Kole Gentry Lakota West, Kyle Meadows, Kyle Meadows Lakota West, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East High School, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West High School, Lakota West sports, Luke Scott, Luke Scott Lakota West, Malik Grove, Malik Grove Lakota West, Mikel Horton, Mikel Horton Lakota West, Nate Mays, Nate Mays Lakota East, Nick Bengal, Nick Bengal Lakota West, Ohio football computer ranking, Ohio football rankings, Tyler Cross, Tyler Cross Lakota West, Will Mahone, Will Mahone Lakota East

Lakota East junior Nate Mays scores a touchdown in a win against Middletown this season. Lakota East and Lakota West both head into this Friday’s rivalry with a lot at stake. Photo taken by Barb Trimble of TrimPhotoAndVideo.com.

For the 15th time since Lakota High School split into two schools, students, alumni, faculty, parents and fans will pack a football stadium this Friday at 7:30 p.m. to witness Lakota East and Lakota West battle in one of the region’s top rivalries.

But there is more on the line than just football bragging rights.

There are principals who could end up having their faces drilled with pie or forced to wear the opposing school’s colors, depending on which Lakota school wins the annual food drive. There is also spirit week, as well as pizza parties and other prizes to win in the days leading up to the game.

“Even though we both will compete hard on the field Friday night and in the food drive, at the end of the day, the best of Lakota will shine through,” said Lakota West principal Gary Elgin Card, whose school will host the game this season.

Card is sweating the food drive, which produced more than 19,000 pounds of donated food for Reach Out Lakota last fall, because the losing principal will have to switch spiritwear after the winning school is announced at halftime. That principal will then have don those colors during the second half of the game and on the following Monday at school.

Lakota West senior wide receiver Grant Pence tries to avoid defenders in a 57-44 loss at Colerain last Friday. The loss was the first of the season for the Firebirds, who could lock up a playoff spot with a win against rival Lakota East this week. The Thunderhawks, however, could sneak into the postseason with a win and some help. Photo taken by Greg Loring.

When it comes to the game, If history is any indication of what could happen, Lakota East principal Suzanna Davis might be one who needs to worry as her Thunderhawks have lost seven straight to Lakota West and haven’t beaten the Firebirds since 2004.

It did appear last fall, that the streak was going to end until Lakota West quarterback Malik Grove threw a touchdown pass to then senior Kayuane Ross with 31.9 seconds left to go, giving West a 25-20 win.

Last season’s loss was the third time that Lakota East came up just short since its win in 2004, losing to West 30-27 in overtime in 2005 and by the score of 20-19 in 2008.

This season’s game will likely be even more meaningful, as playoff spots are on line. Lakota West (8-1 overall, 5-1 in the Greater Miami Conference), which is No. 6 in the OHSAA Region 4 computer rankings (top 8 teams qualify for postseason), needs a win to lock up its first playoff berth since 2009.

Meanwhile, Lakota East (6-3 overall, 4-2 in the GMC), which is No. 11 in the computer rankings, could possibly sneak in the postseason with a win and some help.

“Obviously, it is something we think about because our goal is play in Week 11, but I know some of that stuff is out of our hands in terms of what other teams do,” said Lakota East head coach Rick Haynes, who hopes to lead East to its first-ever postseason appearance. “So our focus needs to be on playing the best we can and winning this football game.”

In order to win the game, Lakota East will rely heavily on its running game, which is ranked second in the GMC with an average of 292 rushing yards per game. Leading the potent attack is senior Will Mahone with 963 yards and 15 touchdowns on 157 carries. The No. 2 back, Chamada Palmore, who has rushed for 479 yards and two scores on 62 carries, could be back after breaking his knuckles in a game against Sycamore on Oct. 5.

Ironically, Lakota West’s top rusher this season, Mikel Horton, led Lakota East in rushing as a sophomore last season. Horton, whose family moved prior to the school year, has rushed for 955 yards and 12 touchdowns on 187 carries this fall.

Horton is an exception, as many of these student athletes have stayed on the same team for their entire high school careers. On Friday, a total of 48 seniors combined between the two schools will take part in their last East/West game.

“These kids have all grown up playing together,” Lakota West head coach Larry Cox said. “This is sort of the end of football for a lot of them and something they would obviously like to hang their hat on.

“This game will be a heavyweight battle.”

Impact players

Lakota East Thunderhawks

• Jr.. QB Eric Eichler – 23-of-44 passes for 339 yards, 6 TDs and 1 INT, 470 rushing yards and 8 TDs on 111 carries
• Sr. RB Will Mahone – 963 rushing yards and 15 TDs on 157 carries
• Jr. RB Bobby Brown – 339 rushing yards and 2 TDs on 53 carries, 98 receiving yards and 1 TD on 7 catches
• Jr. OL Jarrett LaRubbio – offers from Akron and Pittsburgh
• Jr. WR/DB/KR Nate Mays – 185 receiving yards and 5 TDs on 12 catches, 25.5 KR average, 3 INTs
• Sr. LB Jake Chestnut – leads team with 52 total tackles (4 for loss) and 2 pass breakups
• Sr. LB Keith Brady – 32 total tackles (4.5 for loss), 1 sack, 2 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble
• Sr. RB Chamada Palmore – Been out last two weeks with injury, hopes to return – 479 rushing yards and 2 TDs on 62 carries

Lakota West Firebirds

• Jr. QB Malik Grove – 72-of-158 passes for 948 yards, 10 TDs and 6 INTs, 499 rushing yards and 10 TDs on 94 carries
• Jr. RB Mikel Horton – 955 rushing yards and 12 TDs on 187 carries
• Soph. RB Kole Gentry – 435 rushing yards and 6 TDs on 70 carries
• Jr. K/WR/TE Justin Martin – 84 yards and 2 TDs on 7 catches; made 9-of-12 FGs and 34-38 EPs
• Sr. OL Kyle Meadows – offers from top Division I programs including Florida State
• Sr. DL Luke Scott – 4 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT, leads team with 44 tackles
• Sr. DB Tyler Cross – 6 INTs (school record), 3 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, 1 blocked kick
• Sr. DB Nick Bengal – Played all season with two broken wrists – leads team with 8 pass breakups, also has 32 total tackles and a blocked kick

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