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Princeton rallies past Lakota East

LIBERTY TWP, Ohio – Princeton shocked Lakota East, 28-24, after trailing by 14 points in the fourth quarter in Friday’s Backfield Battle presented by Gold Star Chili.

For the entire first half, the Lakota East Thunderhawks were on cruise control, moving the ball down the field against the Princeton defense. Senior Corey Dick had 119 yards on 10 carries with a touchdown in the first half, and then the second half was an entirely different football game.

The Vikings held Lakota East to only 62 yards of offense. Princeton took over the momentum with five minutes left in the third quarter when senior Darrion Henry stopped Lakota East running back Tavier Lugo-Flowers on a 4th-and-1 run play up the middle at their own 33-yard line down by 14 points at the time and Thunderhawks driving down the field.

“We made adjustments at halftime and found ways to stop the option,” said Ohio State commit Henry. “The defense line was able to free up the linebackers to make the tackles. We picked it up in the second half and started doing the little things to win games.”

Junior running back DeAngelo Foster was the difference maker on the Vikings offense. Early in the fourth quarter he took a handoff from senior MyJaden Horton, which looked like it was going to lead to a five-yard loss, but he broke numerous tackles on his way to a 69-yard touchdown run to tie the score at 21-21 after the successful two-point conversion. Princeton head coach Mike Daniels said that was the best run he has ever seen.

“DeAngelo Foster was huge for us in the second half with the 69-yard run and the game-winning drive,” Daniels said. “After two tough losses we really needed this win.”

Horton scored the game-winning touchdown on a quarterback sneak, but Foster setup the scoring opportunity when he threw a halfback pass to senior Sterling Berkhalter. Princeton tried it in the first half, but Lakota East tackled Foster before he could throw the ball. This time Foster rolled to his left and threw a strike to the senior wideout inside the redzone.

After Princeton tied the game, the Lakota East offense held the football for over six minutes after converting two third-and-long plays but had to settle for a 32-yard field goal by Gavin Meyers to take the 24-21 lead. That gave Princeton over two minutes to put together their game-winning drive.

“We didn’t turn the ball over except for one fumble tonight, and our special teams was better today,” expressed Daniels after the game. “Hopefully this gets us going as we head to Middletown next week and for the rest of the season.”

The Lakota East offense looked good in the first half after senior quarterback Mark Krajewski started in place of the injured T.J. Kathman. The offense rushed for 208 yards behind an offensive line that was fully healthy since Week One of the season. Krajewski also connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Kenrich, which was only one-of-two passing attempts in the first half for the Thunderhawks.

Now the Thunderhawks need to quickly put this loss behind them and prepare for a road game against undefeated Fairfield. The Indians defeated Lakota West 33-7 and have scored at least 30-plus points in four of five games.

SCORING SUMMARY
L: Dick 31-yd run (Meyers PAT)
P: Horton 80-yd run (Everson PAT)
L: Krajewski 26-yd pass Kenrich (Myers PAT)
L: Lugo-Flowers 2-yd run (Myers PAT)
P: Boyd 21-yd run (PAT blocked)
P: Foster 69-yd run (Horton to Berkhalter 2-pt conv)
P: Horton 1-yd run (Everson PAT)

RECORDS: Princeton (3-2), Lakota East (3-2)
UP NEXT: Princeton at Middletown (1-4); Lakota East at Fairfield (5-0).

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