8:00am | In a game marred by penalties, the Lakewood High School Lancers came out winners as they defeat the Jordan High School Panthers, 42-28, and stay perfect on their games away from home.
It was never a pretty game for both teams. The Lancers were hit with 12 penalties while the Panthers drew eight flags for 20 total penalties combined.
“We need to clean that up,” Lancers head coach Thadd Mac Neal said. “The referees did the best they can.”
It was a dog fight between the teams in first half. The Lancers drew first blood when wide receiver sophomore X’avier Shepard scored to quickly put Lakewood ahead by seven until Jordan quarterback Hudson Romain hit wide receiver Isaiah Hicks on the ensuing drive. A missed two-point conversion kept the Lancers ahead, 7-6.
Lancers quarterback Tyler Schulz amassed 166 yards in the first half alone. Schulz hooked up with junior wide receiver Darius Powe for a 65 yard reception touchdown, followed by a 45 yard pass to junior running back Jaran Howard were the biggest plays for Lakewood in the first half.
The Panthers returned the favor with big plays of their own. After the Powe touchdown, Romain answered back with a 64-yard touchdown to Lamontre Hosley to tie the game at 14-14. A couple of penalties by Lakewood caused the Lancers to play on their own five yard line, to which the Jordan defense punished the Lancers for their ill play with a safety.
Howard’s 45-yard play helped the Lancers make a field goal to end the first half, 17-16.
The second half brought a different Lakewood team on the field as the Lancers stepped it up on both sides of the ball. The Panthers suffered two turnovers against the Lancers in the second half including a fumble and an interception that was caught by senior Kevin Medearis.
With two minutes remaining in the third quarter, and the game seemingly won by Lakewood, Jordan’s five minute drive resulted in a touchdown made by Marciss Grisby, which made the Panthers move closer to Lakewood, 29-22.
“We didn’t play ‘smash-mouth’ football coming in,” said senior defensive lineman Todd Barr, who, with fellow lineman Dupree Jordan-Roberts, consistently drew pressure on Romain. “But it was good team effort in the second even though they scored on us.
“Bottom line is that we have to get back to the drawing board.”
Schulz stung the Panthers again in the final minutes of the game as the quarterback threw for a 52-yard touchdown to Powe. Jordan responded with a touchdown of their own from Romain to Hicks with a minute left in the game.
Jordan attempted an onside kick, but Lakewood recovered and took it to the Panther’s 10 yard line. Schulz capped off the game with a touchdown pass to Barr. Schulz had 252 yards and four touchdowns for the game.
“I did alright,” said Schulz. “Without the penalties, it could have been better.”
Even with the penalties, Mac Neal couldn’t be happier with his players.
“Of course Darius had a big game and Tyler played solid,” said Mac Neal. “[Todd] Barr, Dupree [Jordan-Robers], and Jake Phillips dominated. It was awesome to watch.”
Lakewood will play away again as they visit the Millikan Rams at Rams Stadium for the Hamilton Trophy. Jordan will visit Compton to face the Compton Tarbabes. Both games begin at 7 p.m.
Moore League Standings (With current ranking in PAC-5 Division if applicable)
Long Beach Poly (#6) 5-2 (3-0) Defeated Millkan 59-0
Wilson Bruins 5-2 (3-0) Defeated Cabrillo 17-14
Lakewood (#7) 7-1 (3-1) Defeated Jordan 42-28
Cabrillo Jaguars 3-5 (2-2) Lost to Wilson 14-17
Jordan Panthers 3-4 (1-2) Lost to Lakewood 28-42
Compton Tarbabes 2-5 (0-3) BYE
Millikan Rams 1-7 (0-4) Lost to Poly 0-59