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Keith Brady. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Mike Dyer reports:

Lakota East senior linebacker Keith Brady committed to Columbia Thursday, according to Lakota East coach Rick Haynes.

Brady, who is 6 feet 2 and 205 pounds, was a first-team all-Greater Miami Conference selection this past season for the Thunderhawks.

Brady had 44 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass break-ups, a fumble recovery and two forced fumbles this past season.

His brother, John, a 2011 Lakota East graduate, plays linebacker at Columbia, Haynes said.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Columbia football, Columbia football John Brady, Columbia football Keith Brady, John Brady, Keith Brady, Keith Brady Lakota East, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East Sports, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Rick Haynes

Lakota East junior Bobby Brown ran for 89 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries in a 28-7 loss against Sycamore Oct. 5, 2012. Photo taken by Barb Trimble of TrimPhotoAndVideo.com. For more photos of this game, visit http://proofs.trimphotoandvideo.com/g/100512syc_east

Kevin Goheen reports:

A strong running game and a stifling second-half defensive performance led Sycamore to a 28-7 victory on the road at Lakota East on Friday night in blustery and rainy conditions.

Junior quarterback Greg Simpson rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries while senior running back Markus James added 25 rushes for 120 yards and one touchdown to go along with a key kickoff return for Sycamore, which improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Greater Miami Conference.

Lakota East drops to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the GMC.

Sycamore is ranked No. 5 in The Enquirer’s Division I area coaches’ poll, while Lakota East is sixth.

Sycamore led 14-7 at halftime. The Aviators limited Lakota East to 50 yards of offense in the second half on 19 plays. The Thunderhawks were the top-ranked rushing team in the GMC, averaging 318 yards per game, but Sycamore held them to 125 yards under that average.

“In a game like this you’ve got to play a complete game and both of our lines did a nice job,” said Sycamore coach Scott Dattilo. “The big thing was containing their perimeter game. They had a lot of runs on the outside in the first half because we had trouble getting off blocks and making tackles, but we did a better job of that in the second half.”

Simpson had to attempt just four passes in the game. He completed two for 19 yards, including a 17-yard gain to wide receiver Caleb Coletts in the third quarter that helped the Aviators overcome a second-and-20 situation. Simpson would eventually score on a 4-yard run to give Sycamore a 21-7 lead.

“We were determined to run some power on them, open up some holes and just run hard and get as much as we can,” said James. “We were hitting it hard and getting the tough yards.”

The teams played a 19-minute first quarter. Out of 23 offensive plays, only two were pass attempts and neither was completed. Lakota East had the ball four times in the first half while Sycamore had just three possessions.

The Aviators converted two of their drives into touchdowns. Lakota East punted once, scored one touchdown, turned the ball over on downs after driving inside the Sycamore 25 in the first quarter and then ended the first half with two straight incompletions from the Sycamore 36.

Sycamore faced just two third downs in the first half.

James gave the Aviators a 6-0 lead four plays into the second quarter.

Lakota East junior Bobby Brown scored on a 20-yard run with 4:06 left in the first half to tie the score. Nick Gasser’s extra point gave the Thunderhawks the lead. Brown led Lakota East with 89 yards rushing, 73 in the first half.

James returned the ensuing kickoff 49 yards to the Lakota East 36 to set up Simpson’s first touchdown of the game, a 1-yard run with 1:43 left in the half. Simpson completed a two-point conversion pass to James to put Sycamore up for good, 14-7.

James’ kickoff return followed a penalty when Lakota East kicked the ball out of bounds. Instead of taking the ball at the 35, Dattilo had Lakota East kick it again into the wind.

“That was big because we knew they were going to get the ball to start the second half so we had to hold them. But they scored,” said Lakota East coach Rick Haynes. “They’re good offensively. We just couldn’t stop them.”

S – James 6-yard run (kick failed)
LE – Brown 20-yard run (Gasser kick)
S – Simpson 1-yard run (Simpson pass to James)
S – Simpson 4-yard run (Cogen kick)
S – Simpson 13-yard run (Cogen kick)

Records: Sycamore (6-1, 3-1 GMC); Lakota East (5-2, 3-1)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Eric Eichler, Eric Eichler Lakota East, Greg Simpson, Lakota East, Lakota East High School, Lakota East Sports, Rick Haynes, Sycamore, Will Mahone

Lakota East junior Nate Mays reaches for the touchdown in a 56-0 win against Hamilton Sept. 28, 2012. In the past three weeks, Mays has four receiving touchdowns. Photo taken by Barb Trimble of TrimPhotoAndVideo.com.

GMC showdown set between 5-1 teams Friday night

Kevin Goheen reports:

Here’s a bold prediction for Friday night: the football will not be in the air much when Lakota East hosts Sycamore.

“I wouldn’t think this will be a pass-fest,” said Lakota East head coach Rick Haynes.

The top two rushing teams in the Greater Miami Conference meet Friday night at Lakota East in a game that will not only have league ramifications but will have a significant bearing on the Division I, Region 4 postseason field as well.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Sycamore is ranked No. 5 in this week’s Enquirer area coaches’ poll, with Lakota East next at No. 6. Lakota East is sixth in this week’s Harbin computer ratings, with Sycamore right behind the Thunderhawks at No. 7.

Both teams are 5-1 overall. Sycamore is 2-1 in the GMC with its loss coming against No. 1 Colerain two weeks ago. Lakota East is one of three unbeatens in the league along with Colerain and No. 3 Lakota West. Due to the rotation of schedules inside the GMC, Lakota East and Colerain do not play this season but the two Lakotas will end the regular season at Lakota West on Oct. 26.

(more…)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: aviators, Eric Eichler, football, GMC, Greg Simpson, Lakota East, Nate Mays, Rick Haynes, sports, Sycamore, Thunderhawks, Will Mahone

Mike Dyer reports:

Akron offered Lakota East junior offensive lineman Jarrett LaRubbio last week, according to Lakota East football coach Rick Haynes.

It is the second offer for LaRubbio, who was offered by Pittsburgh earlier this season.

LaRubbio is listed at 6 feet 4 and 250 pounds.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: akron, football, harrett larubbio, Lakota East, offer, Rick Haynes

Junior-to-be Eric Eichler took over the quarterback duties during the third game of season in 2011. He ended up rushing for nine touchdowns last year. Photo taken Barb Trimble of Trimble Photography.

Lakota East (4-6 overall, 2-5 in the Greater Miami Conference in 2011) kicks off the 2012 regular season in front of its home fans tonight at 7:30 p.m. when it hosts Western Hills (5-5 overall, 5-1 in Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference in ’11). The two schools faced off in the opener last fall with Lakota East winning that matchup, 28-6.

Western Hills: The offense is run through senior quarterback Cameron Washington, who is coming off a 2011 season where he threw for 783 yards and rushed for 516 more. His top target this season could be Tiantee Washington, who sat behind Division I recruit Josh Smith in 2011. The team also returns three offensive linemen. According to Tom Skeen of the Western Hills Press, the deepest part of the team is at defensive line – and the weakest part of the team is its depth. Last season, the Mustangs got off to a slow start – losing their first three games. After that, the team won five in a row before losing the final two.

Lakota East: With nine returning starters on offense, including junior quarterback Eric Eichler, who was a backup at this time last summer, Lakota East head coach Rick Haynes feels that his team should get off to a fast start in 2012. Eichler, who replaced Rob Harpring at quarterback in Week 3 last season, averaged just more than 42 rushing yards per game and had a total of nine rushing touchdowns in eight games. Overall, the team has almost 30 seniors. That senior leadership is most apparent on the defensive side of the ball, where linebackers Jake Chestnut (second team all-GMC, second on East in total tackles in 2011) and Keith Brady (sixth on East in total tackles in ‘11), along with defensive lineman J.T. Turner (led East in tackles for loss and in sacks in ’11) and free safety Harpring (converted quarterback) lead the way.

Bottom line: In the 28-6 win, in the season opener last year, Lakota East received much of its offense from fullback Mikel Horton, who rushed for 161 yards and 3 touchdowns on 22 carries. Horton has since transferred to Lakota West. However, the Thunderhawks do return four experienced running backs in seniors Will Mahone and Chamada Palmore, as well as juniors Bobby Brown and Nate Mays. The overall advantage in depth and experience should make East a favorite to win in Week 1.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Bobby Brown, Chamada Palmore, Eric Eichler, Eric Eichler Lakota East, J.T. Turner, Jake Chestnut, Keith Brady, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East game preview, Lakota East High School, Lakota East Sports, Nate Mays, Rick Haynes, Rob Harpring, Robbie Harpring, Will Mahone

After winning its conference opener last Friday, Lakota East (3-1 overall, 1-0 in Greater Miami Conference) will face the unbeaten Sycamore Aviators (4-0 overall, 1-0 in GMC) this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Sycamore Junior High School, located at 5757 Cooper Road in Blue Ash. Lakota East has wins vs. Western Hills (28-6), at Winton Woods (38-37 OT) and vs. Hamilton (17-8). The Thunderhawks only loss this season was to La Salle (27-23). Meanwhile, Sycamore has wins vs. Withrow (38-24), vs. Springboro (28-21), at Springfield (33-20) and at Fairfield (24-0).

Lakota East: The Thunderhawks’ defense shutdown the Hamilton offense last Friday, allowing 115 total yards in a 17-8 win in the GMC opener for both teams. Unfortunately for Lakota East head coach Rick Haynes his triple-option offense continued to struggle, totaling 222 yards of offense in the win. Sophomore fullback Mikel Horton led Lakota East in the win with 120 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. In four games this season, Horton has rushed for 416 yards and seven touchdowns on 75 carries. Fellow sophomore Eric Eichler was making his first varsity start last week. Eichler didn’t complete a pass in four attempts and threw two interceptions, but rushed for 82 yards on 26 carries. Defensively, Lakota East has forced 13 turnovers and has six sacks in four games. As a team, the Thunderhawks are averaging 289 yards per game on offense and are allowing 243 yards per game on defense.

Sycamore: The Aviators are off to their first 4-0 start since 2007. Last Friday, the Aviators rushed for 299 yards as a team and limited Fairfield to only 48 rushing yards. Leading the team in rushing was senior quarterback Kyle Sess (138 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries) and sophomore running back Greg Simpson (135 yards on 19 carries). Sess actually leads the GMC with 667 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 102 carries this season. In a 33-20 win at Springfield Sept. 9, Sess rushed for 297 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries. One of Sycamore’s most talented receivers, senior A.J. Williams, has yet to catch a pass this season. The 6-foot-6 250-pound Williams, who will play tight end at the University of Michigan, is mostly used as a blocker for Sycamore. Defensively, senior linebacker Michael Gray already has three sacks and three forced fumbles. As a team, Sycamore is averaging 328 yards of total offense and allowing 299 yards on defense.

Bottom line: Both Lakota East and Sycamore feature run-heavy offenses and on defense have had success in stopping the run. That being said, the two GMC opponents appear to be evenly matched. The winner, however, could separate itself from the loser in the Cincinnati Enquirer coaches’ poll and in Ohio High School Athletic Association computer rankings. Right now, Sycamore is No. 8 in the coaches poll and No. 5 in region 4 rankings, while Lakota East is No. 9 in both rankings.

(WestChesterBuzz.com will provide a game story and photos from this game)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: A.J. Williams, Eric Eichler, Greg Simpson, Kyle Sess, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East Sports, Michael Gray, Mikel Horton, Rick Haynes, Sycamore football

Both offenses struggled to score, so it was fitting that Lakota East junior linebacker Jake Chestnut scored the game’s only second-half touchdown on a 24-yard interception return.

The touchdown provided the Thunderhawks’ defense, which only allowed 115 yards of total offense and had four interceptions, some breathing room in the fourth quarter and led to a 17-8 win against Hamilton.

“It was a typical GMC football game,” Lakota East head coach Rick Haynes said. “They have a really good team, but our defense did outstanding.

“They (the defense) have played well four weeks in a row. We just need to get things turned around offensively.”

While the Big Blue offense struggled, the Thunderhawks’ offense did not perform much better – totaling just 222 yards on offense and committing four turnovers.

Prior to Chestnut’s interception, Lakota East trailed 8-7 in the fourth quarter before sophomore kick Nick Gasser drilled a 22-yard field goal with 8:57 left in the game.

Hamilton took an 8-7 lead right before halftime when senior Roblow Givens scored on a one-yard touchdown run with 1:10 left in the second quarter.

Givens didn’t play much offense in the second half, after Hamilton head coach Bob Jacoby said he was “dinged up” on a first-half ending interception. Givens did finish with 46 rushing yards on 13 carries.

Lakota East got on the scoreboard first when sophomore running Mikel Horton capped off a 7-play 30-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run with 9:22 left in the second quarter. Horton would finish the game with 120 rushing yards on 20 carries.

Horton’s touchdown drive began when senior defensive back Joe Postlewait intercepted Hamilton quarterback junior David Evans. Postlewait would intercept his second pass of the game in the second half.

On offense, Lakota East quarterback Eric Eichler made his first varsity start. The 6-foot-2 sophomore rushed for 83 yards on 25 carries, but did not complete pass in four attempts and threw two interceptions.

With the win, Lakota East improves to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the Greater Miami Conference. Meanwhile, Hamilton falls to 2-2 and 0-1 in the GMC.

Next Friday, Lakota East will play at Sycamore and Hamilton will host Princeton.

L– Horton 2-yard run (Ivan Thomas kick) – 9:22 in second quarter

H– Givens 1-yard run (Evans pass to Rowlette) – 1:10 in second quarter

L- Gasser 22-yard field goal – 8:57 in fourth quarter

L- Chestnut 22-yard interception return – 8:21 in fourth quarter

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: David Evans, Eric Eichler, Hamilton football, Jake Chestnut, Joe Postlewait, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Nick Gasser, Rick Haynes, Roblow Evans

The Lakota East football team will be tested this Friday night when it hosts Middletown in a scrimmage at 7 p.m. Last year, the Middies were the co-champions of the Greater Miami Conference with a 10-1 overall record and a 7-0 mark within conference play.

Middletown features one of area’s top athletes in quarterback Jalin Marshall. As a sophomore in 2010, Marshall rushed for 1,426 yards on 173 carries (8.24 yards per carry) and scored a total of 29 touchdowns (12 passing, 17 rushing). Last season, Marshall rushed for 308 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries in a 49-35 win against Lakota East. Marshall also threw for one touchdown in that game.

>>>2011 LAKOTA EAST FOOTBALL SCHEDULE<<<

Marshall, according to Yahoo! Sports, already has accumulated scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Tennessee and UCLA.

Meanwhile, Lakota East also returns its young signal caller from a year ago in junior Rob Harpring. In 2010, Harpring threw for six touchdowns and ran for six more for the Thunderhawks.

“I think Rob has improved tremendously, not only in knowing what we want him to do, but he has gotten bigger, quicker and faster,” Lakota East second-year head coach Rick Haynes said. “He has done everything we have expected him to do this offseason, so I believe that Rob is going to have a good year.”

>>>PHOTOS OF FOOTBALL PRACTICE AT LAKOTA EAST<<<

The Thunderhawks hope to improve upon its 3-7 overall record and a 2-5 mark in the GMC from last year.

“The biggest advantage is that our kids know exactly what we are doing on both sides of the ball,” said Haynes, who implemented the triple-option attack on offense last fall. “Last year, it was all new for them in terms of offense, in terms of running the triple … now they are used to what is expected of them.” (more…)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Cody Quinn, football, football practice, Geovonie McKnight, Jalin Marshall, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East Sports, practice, Rick Haynes, Rob Harpring, Zach Edwards

The Lakota East football team held its first official practice Monday, Aug. 1. It marks the beginning of the season for second-year head coach Rick Haynes, who implemented the triple-option offense last fall.

“The biggest advantage is that our kids know exactly what we are doing on both sides of the ball,” said Haynes about his second year as head coach. “Last year, it was all new for them in terms of offense, in terms of running the triple … now they are used to what is expected of them.”

>>>PHOTOS OF THE FIRST OFFICIAL FOOTBALL PRACTICE AT LAKOTA EAST<<<

Running the triple-option attack for the second consecutive year will be junior quarterback Rob Harpring, who threw for six touchdowns and ran for six more in 2010.

“I think Rob has improved tremendously, not only in knowing what we want him to do, but he has gotten bigger, quicker and faster,” Haynes said. “He has done everything we have expected him to do this offseason, so I believe that Rob is going to have a good year.”

>>>LAKOTA EAST FOOTBALL SCHEDULE<<<

Harpring will have his choice of talented running backs to hand the ball off to this fall in senior fullback Max DeZarn (382 rushing yards in 2010), junior tailback Will Mahone (230 rushing yards in 2010) and sophomore Mikel Horton (82 rushing yards in 2010).

The Thunderhawks will kickoff their season Aug. 26 at home against Western Hills.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: football, football practice, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East Sports, Max DeZarn, Mikel Horton, practice, Rick Haynes, Rob Harpring, Will Mahone

The fall sports season officially ended for the Lakota school district high school athletic programs this Saturday, Nov. 6, after the state cross country meet took place and after Lakota West was eliminated in the regional final of the state volleyball playoffs.

A few quick highlights of the fall season include Greater Miami Conference (GMC) titles in boys’ golf (Lakota East), girls’ tennis (Lakota East) and girls’ volleyball (Lakota West).

Here is a brief recap of how each school performed in each sport this fall season:

FOOTBALL – Lakota West and Lakota East each finished with a 3-7 overall record and a 2-5 mark within the GMC. West won the Lakota Cup by beating East this season and featured quarterback Jordan Darling, who as a sophomore, led the GMC in passing this season. East showed promise under first-year coach Rick Haynes, who appears to have the program headed in the right direction.

VOLLEYBALL – Lakota West and Lakota East each excelled this fall and eventually squared off in the regional semifinal of the state volleyball tournament. West won that match and finished with a 22-5 overall record and was 9-0 in the GMC. The perfect conference record led the Firebirds to their second straight GMC title. West will graduate two seniors (five total) this year, who will play in the Big Ten next fall, in Liz McMahon (University of Illinois) and Lexi Dannemiller (University of Michigan). Lakota East will only graduate two seniors from its first-ever district championship team. The Thunderhawks finished the year with an 18-7 overall record and a 7-2 mark in the GMC.

BOYS’ SOCCER – Lakota West and Lakota East finished in the top half of the GMC standings. Lakota West finished the year with a 9-6-2 overall record and a 6-2-1 mark within the GMC. Lakota East advanced far in the postseason in 2010, despite never being entirely healthy. The Thunderhawks’ season ended with a 1-0 loss to Moeller in the district final. On the year, Lakota East had a 12-3-5 overall record and a 5-1-3 record within the GMC. (more…)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Azeez, Amanda Shelby, boys soccer, boys' golf, Brooke Broda, Carolyn Pitman, cross country, fall sports, football, girls' golf, girls' soccer, GMC, golf, Greater Miami Conference, J.J. Webber, Jordan Darling, Jordan Day, Kelly Burrows, Korey Ward, Lakota East, Lakota West, Lexi Dannemiller, Liz McMahon, Rick Haynes, Soccer, sports, Taylor Holden, tennis, volleyball