Lakewood football runs over Tigers, advances to State

LAKEWOOD — Friday nights don't get much better than Nov. 4 for Cougar football.

Exactly one year to the day after Burlington-Edison knocked Lakewood from the District playoffs with a 43-12 beating on Lakewood's field, the Cougars sought revenge and a 2A State Tournament berth.

Lakewood was more than ready for redemption and rolled over the Tigers, 55-0, to reach the promised land.

"We had high expectations and we wanted to go deep into State," senior offensive/defensive lineman Thomas Raught said. "There is no secret — we like smashing people up."

Junior running back Donovan Evans rumbled for 332 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries to break Lakewood's single game rushing record.

Junior quarterback Justin Peterson rushed seven times for 149 and three touchdowns paired with a 31-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Brandon Stott to break the single season touchdown record with a reported 23 scores.

"It all goes back to the kids' hard work," said Lakewood head coach Dan Teeter, who also praised athletic director Matt Blair for making the Cougar football program's success possible.

Senior defensive back Jacob Micheletti intercepted a pass at Lakewood's 35-yard line in the fourth quarter to put an exclamation point on a defense that forced a fumble and shut down three B-E fourth down attempts. Peterson led the defense with 15 total tackles at safety, partnered with Evans at 12 tackles in the other safety spot, and senior linebacker Austen Suddoth with 10.

Senior running back Christian Melton ran 65 yards for Lakewood's final touchdown on the very next play after Micheletti's pick.

"On to State, on to State" chanted the Cougar crowd as Lakewood knelt to run out the clock after taking over on downs for the final time at the their own 17.

"This is just family football," Suddoth said. "This team never gives up. It's the best experience ever to build this program from what it was to what it is now."

Contact Arlington Times Reporter Jake McNeal at jmcneal@arlingtontimes.com or 360-659-1300 Ext. 5054.

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