Lakewood Rolls to 1st playoff win since 2009 “Player Focus”
The Spartans put on an impressive performance on their way to a 37-13 victory over 8-2 Orlando Bishop Moore in Orlando. Lakewood was able to exert its superior talent from beginning to end with a shutdown defense and an offense with a penchant for the big play.
The catalyst for this offensive performance was none other than Quarterback Tracy Johnson. After being knocked out of the Robinson district loss and missing the final 2 games of the regular season, Johnson returned in dashing fashion. He ended the day 10-16 220 yards and 1TD. While his passing was impressive he did more handing off on the night which helped Lakewood to control the flow of the game.
Laterian Lattimore carried the load on the ground. All though Zamarie Johnson also added to the run game dominance with a 43 yard TD run on the 1st drive, Lattimore was “Mr. Dependable”, getting key 1st downs as well as catching passes out of the backfield. Lattimore finished with 96 yards on 15 carries and 2 TDS. He also added about 35 yards receiving as well.
When Tracy wasn’t handing off he was throwing it to one of his 3 division 1 prospects as WR Rodney Adams had 3 receptions for 92 yards and Marquez Valdes had a big reception for 45 yards on the 1st drive as well as an 11 yard TD catch to ice the drive. Valdes was taken out of the game late by an ambulance after suffering a concussion. His father said he would be okay and that it was just precautionary measures. Coach Moore also said that “Ques” would be okay and he would let the Dr’s decide his status for the remaining playoff games. Jocqui Ellison continued his big year as the new star in the making at Lakewood. He caught a TD, threw a 45 yard TD and even got some decent rushing yards on the way.
Defensively, Lakewood was stout up front. Their defense did a great job of putting pressure on Bishop Moore’s Wing T run oriented offense constantly forcing them to bounce plays to the outside where Lakewood’s superior speed on the edges was displayed. Both Twins, Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin had excellent games making big hits and pass breakups in coverage as well.
Next up is the rematch with Robinson in a highly anticipated game. Lakewood will be up to the task more so than before as coach Moore stated “The defining moment for us was the loss to Robinson, we really came together as a team and they fought through it. They could have crumbled but they responded and it’s the reason we are where we are today.”
– Eric Clark