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Lakeland’s shutout win over West Milford High School improves the Lancers to 9-0 on the football season with the playoffs looming. Lakeland came out firing on all cylinders offensively as they were able to dominate in the air.
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Senior captain Dan Deighan had a superb game throwing for 278 yards and 2 touchdowns. Deighan’s first TD pass was a 35 yard strike to senior wide receiver Tyler Engels. The second TD was to Jake McDonald on a 53 yard aerial connection. McDonald had a one yard TD run to cap the scoring.
West Milford's first three possessions were 3 and outs and they looked shaky to start the game. The Highlanders started to move the ball in the next couple of possessions. However, Lakeland’s defense came up huge with timely sacks to terminate the Highlanders’ drives. West Milford had too many plays for negative yards to be competitive. On a drive that brought them to the Lancers’ 2 yard line, West Milford lost a fumble, ending any hopes to make it a football game.
The second half didn’t produce any scoring, however, Lakeland was the dominant football team. The Lancers moved the ball well on the air, unfortunately for them a couple of penalties stalled their drives. Nonetheless, Lakeland had some positive drives and a good showing heading into the fall sports post season.
West Milford’s aspirations for a playoff spot come down to games being played tonight and tomorrow. Not being able to clinch a playoff spot will be very disappointing for the Highlanders who started the season 4-1.
Asked for his team's goals, coach Tom McCormack said, “We want to win the first game of the playoffs," pointing out that his team lost in the first round of the New Jersey state tournament last season. The Lancers will be the #3 seed in their bracket and host a first-round game next Friday. --Emir Liguori for Jersey Sports Now
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