| |
 |
The Lakeland Lancers made history on Saturday night by defeating Delbarton 17-9 in a thrilling matchup. Lakeland's defense came up big multiple times in this contest to lead the Lancers to their first-ever football win over the Green Wave.
|
The Lancers came out strong and drove right down the field in their first drive which led to a score by running back Bobby Thompson and a 7-0 lead. Like most games, Lakeland came out throwing early and often behind the guidance of Dan Deighan, the former wide receiver who converted back to a quarterback for his senior football season. Tyler Johnson had several catches for the Lancers, including what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.
With a huge turnout of fans and the enthusiastic calls of the public-address announcer, the atmosphere proved to be a huge help to this Lancers' defense. Their effort becomes even more impressive when you account for the fact that 2 Delbarton points came on a safety and the Green Wave's only touchdown resulted from an early second half turnover which put them in great field position.
Two key game-saving defensive plays stood out for the Lancers. In the fourth quarter, Lakeland went for a field goal to make it a two possession game. The kick was blocked and scooped up by a Delbarton player, who was off to the races. Coming out of nowhere, Deighan, the holder on the play, chased down the ball carrier and prevented Delbarton from tying the game.
Later in the fourth Delbarton moved the football into the red zone, but Lakeland stood tall to bring up a big fourth down play. The Green Wave quarterback QB rolled left and fired the ball into the back of the end zone. Initially, a receiver got his hands on it, but John Allard stripped the football away to cause an incomplete pass.
Delbarton got the ball back in the waning seconds, but a pair of key sacks helped keep the Green Wave at bay. After the final play, a storm of Lancers and sports fans rushed the field for a huge celebration.
Lakeland coach Tom McCormack said the win gives his team a great deal of confidence. The victory also seemed to stir memories of Lakeland's undefeated state-championship squad of four years ago. "This team has kind of been in the shadow of 2004," McCormack said. "Now we've done something even that team didn't do," noting that the two high schools did not play that season.
The Lancers are now 4-0 and tied for the Northern Hills Conference-Suburban Division lead with DePaul. Lakeland also appears to be positioning itself well for the New Jersey state football playoffs. -- Jersey Sports Now
|
