See game recap below 

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Lakes Advances in Road Win Over Warriors
By Steve Dion

The opening round of the playoffs featured an intriguing Pierce County vs. WesCo matchup between the Lakes Lancers and host Edmonds-Woodway Warriors.

Edmonds-Woodway caught Lakes flat early in the opening minutes. Cappassio Cherry was able to punch the rock in at the goal line after a handful of big carries in their first drive.

The Warriors defense matched the intensity by stuffing the Lancer attack. Ali Gaye was a force coming off the edge to pressure Lakes quarterback Cody Roe.

Lakes utilized a dual quarterback system as Jaylen Antoine made his debut after a long absence from injury. Cody Roe got the start who is more of a running quarterback.

Wind was a factor as northerly gusts affected punts and long passes.

Early in the second quarter Lakes capitalized on the punt affected by the elements as Daeon Hudson pounded it in from 3 yards out. Like the old football saying “low man wins”, Hudson got low on Ransom Gardner which is tough task because Gardner is listed at 5’0 165 pounds.

As the half wore on Edmonds-Woodway faced a crucial 4th and 2. They called timeout to talk it over. This proved to be a good decision because Cherry took a pitch from the backfield as if he was shot from a cannon and bolted to the endzone untouched from 49 yards out.

Enter Jaylen Antoine.

With 1:03 left. Lakes faced a 3rd and long from their own 25. Antoine aired it out and found Dedrian Milligan on the other end. On the next play, another long ball. At the 0:29 second mark, Aaron Richardson found himself standing in the Warriors endzone with the football and a tied ballgame. Coach Miller later admitted this was a crucial series of heading into the locker room and second half.

The third quarter was a pick party as Anthony Lindamood intercepted a Lindsey pass in the opening minutes, but was immediately nullified when Dedrian Milligan returned the favor. Not to be outdone, Lindamood came up with a second pick shortly thereafter.

Lakes came up with a big 4th down stop early in the final quarter when the Warriors were threatening. However, the next play was another interception, this time by Noah Becker.

Unfazed, the Lancers defense stepped up yet again and this time were rewarded. With 5 minutes remaining and Roe back in the game, a shotgun snap and a clunky run-option execution in which Roe ran into his running back Melvin Miller, he tucked it and ran down the sidelines. He followed key blocks and barreled into the endzone for a 46 yard score to take the lead.

This ignited an already amped Lancer defense. Edmonds-Woodway’s offense was stuffed in their desperation drive and Lakes regained position to lined up in victory formation to find themselves victors.

The Final Score:
Lakes 21, Edmonds-Woodway 14.

Top Performer

Lakes
Cody Roe- Game-winning 46 yard touchdown run