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For once in a big game this season, Lakeland would need no last-minute heroics. No game-winning drives or critical defensive stops needed this week. Instead, the Lancers simply watched the clock tick down and celebrated their 11th win of the season, a 28-7 victory over Sparta in the North Jersey sectional semifinal.
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Lakeland seized control of this football game from the start, scoring 21 points in the first quarter against a Sparta High School team that had a tough time dealing with the Lancers' speed. While the Spartans adjusted well and stayed in the game, they could never really threaten Lakeland.
The Lancers had a 7-0 lead within two minutes. After surprising Sparta with three passes to open the contest, Dan Deighan went back to what he does best, running a quarterback keeper 42 yards to paydirt. The Lakeland offensive line cleared the way for the lightning-fast Deighan, who went untouched into the end zone.
Later in the first quarter, Lakeland got the football back near midfield. Deighan threw a quick pass to Tyler Engels, who broke a tackle and took the ball all the way to the Sparta 8. Three plays later, Ray Capo, who was slated to be Lakeland's starting running back this year but has seen limited duty on offense due to injury, plunged in from the one to boost the lead to 14-0.
And before the quarter was over, Lakeland struck again. Once more it was Deighan, running behind some great blocks, who dashed 56 yards for the touchdown. John Allard's conversion made it a 21-0 game.
"We threw the ball around a little bit, maybe caught them off-guard," said Lakeland coach Tom McCormack. "We made some things happen on the line which sprung Danny."
"We came out fired up," said offensive lineman Kevin Gormley. "Our line did good and Danny is just a great athlete back there who makes things happen."
In the second quarter, Sparta's defense managed to slow down the Lancers. Lakeland's defense continued to dominate, not allowing a Sparta first down until the final minutes of the half. When Sparta did string a few first downs together, Lakeland stiffened and held the Spartans on downs to maintain the three-touchdown lead.
Sparta missed a field goal try early in the third quarter, but finally got on the board on a 34-yard flea-flicker pass from Doug D'Angelo to Phil Greiner. As they've done so often this season when challenged, the Lancers had the answer. After Lakeland recovered an onsides kick attempt, Deighan immediately moved his team into scoring position with a 37-yard run. The Lancers cashed in early in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run by Jake McDonald.
Sparta never threatened after that, and in fact ran its normal offense in the final minutes rather than try a desperation comeback. That thoughtful act allowed the freezing Lakeland fans to celebrate and head for a warmer place a few minutes quicker.
The Lancers are now 11-0, but a major obstacle sits in the way of a perfect sports season. Lakeland will face Wayne Hills High School in the North Jersey Section 1, Group III final in two weeks. The Patriots are riding a 51-game winning streak after their 17-10 semifinal win over Pascack Valley and have won the last four sectional football titles.
"We're excited to play a team like this and see how we measure up," said McDonald.
Deighan agreed. "This might be the biggest challenge we've faced this year, but hopefully we can go out there and play them tough," he said. The game may be played at Giants Stadium; an announcement on the venue and date is expected early next week. -- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now
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