In the stands, Homecoming is a chance for alumni to return and reminisce about the days of yore. On the field Friday at Lakewood High School, it was a chance for the Lancers to return to the level of dominance that marked their first four games. Running back Jerry Stone is in the backfield again, so instead of reminiscing, Lakewood is ecstatic to look forward after a convincing 42-15 victory over the visiting Wilson Bruins.
Six weeks ago, Lakewood self-imposed forfeitures of its first four victories due to Stone’s unknown ineligibility. The announcement came days after the junior rushed for 207 yards on 15 carries, and days before the Lancers took on the Poly Jackrabbits.
On the first play from scrimmage for Lakewood on Friday night, Stone made it look like it had been just days since he had strapped it up. He took a swing pass from quarterback Jesse Scroggins and went 50 yards down the sideline. Two plays later, it was 7-0 Lancers. Stone finished the night at the conclusion of the third quarter with 108 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns.
“It’s great to have him again, he’s such a great back,” said Scroggins, who went 10-for-20 for 142 yards and a touchdown. “He brings a work ethic to the field… we really trust him.”
Lakewood looked like they did before the Poly game for most of the night, especially in the first half where they scored 28 points on 197 yards, while the defense held Wilson to 7points on 49 yards. Who knew a running back could light a fire under such a talented squad?
“It’s confidence. Jerry makes that difference,” said Lakewood coach Thadd MacNeal. “He makes our offense exciting.”
After a muffed punt attempt by the Lancers in the beginning of the second quarter, the Bruins got back in the game with a 3-yard bootleg run from quarterback Steven Barrett, makeing the score 14-7 Lakewood.
The seven-point difference was as close as the Bruins would get, however, when the ensuing kickoff was taken 90 yards back to the house by Kevin Anderson. After forcing a three-and-out, Lakewood’s next drive was Stone-heavy, going 65 yards on eight plays, capped by a four-yard touchdown run from the prodigal son. The score made it 28-7 Lakewood, and effectively ended the game with how well the Lancer defense was playing.
For Wilson, the loss is extra heartbreaking since this is the second week in a row where a win would have guaranteed the Bruins a playoff birth. This, a Bruin team that won only one game a season ago.
For Lakewood, the future couldn’t be brighter. Friday night was a celebration and reminder at the same time. A celebration of victory, and a reminder that when this team is running on all cylinders, they’re hard to stop.
“On Tuesday, I had to stop practice,” said MacNeal after the game while discussing his team’s mindset now that Stone is in the backfield again. “They were playing their hearts out, and I said, let’s keep this up. Let’s keep playing… they were just having too much fun. We don’t want to stop playing.”
This new lease on the season is coming at a perfect time for Lakewood, who has a chance to sure up a nice playoff seed with a victory at Compton next week.