Preview: Lakota West at Lakota East

It’s the battle for bragging rights in the Lakota school district as West travels north to East in the Blitz 5 Game of the Week. The Lakota West Firebirds are the top-ranked in the Blitz 5 Top 25 this week. They have been dominating defensively versus Greater Miami Conference rivals the past two seasons. Lakota East is faced with the daunting challenge of figuring out how to outscore their number one rival. 

#1 LAKOTA WEST FIREBIRDS (1-0) at #9 LAKOTA EAST THUNDERHAWKS (0-1)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., August 26th
The Hawks Nest
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: Mitch Bolden sets the tone for the Lakota West offense. A four-year starter at quarterback, Bolden holds the school record for career passing yards (3,452), career passing touchdowns (42), passing touchdowns in a season (21) and is 8th all-time in rushing yards (1,444). The defensive secondary is loaded and deep. Seniors Malik Hartford (Ohio State commit), Joshua Fussell (Northwestern commit), Ben Minich (Notre Dame Commit) along with juniors Taebron Bennie Powell and Bukari Miles (who both have DI offers) are arguably the best quintet in the state.

A veteran, senior-laden offensive line paves the way for Lakota East. The Thunderhawks are paced up front by Austin Siereveld (Ohio State commit), brother Aidan Siereveld and Harrison Clute. Classmate Eric Davis has been the benefactor behind them, running for 1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns in his career. 

TEAM TRENDS: Tom Bolden is 12-0 all-time versus Lakota East. He is 3-0 with an average margin of victory of 15.7 points per contest against the Thunderhawks, as the head coach at Lakota West. The Firebirds have held 16 straight GMC opponents to 17 points or less.

Lakota East is currently on a four-game losing streak. It is the Thunderhawks longest losing streak since they dropped the last six contests of 2015. 

HEAD COACHES:
Lakota West: Tom Bolden (26-7 at Lakota West, fourth year; 159-28 overall, 16th year)

Lakota East: Rick Haynes Rick Haynes (67-59 at Lakota East, 13th year; 67-59 overall)

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Lakota West (eight appearances, 8-8) – 2021, 2020, 2019, 2014, 2013, 2009, 2006, 2004

Lakota East (five appearances, 4-5) – 2021, 2020, 2018, 2014, 2012

LAKOTA WEST’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Play clean and not sloppy. Eight penalties for 112 yards, 14.0 yards per penalty in the opener. Those are big and painful field position swings. The skills players on offense need to finish off more plays. That will keep the Thunderhawks from “zeroing in” on Bolden. 

LAKOTA EAST’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Establish the run and use the clock to their advantage, milk it. The Thunderhawks are playing many players both ways. The fewer the snaps, the fresher the team. The last thing Lakota East wants to do is fall behind by more than two scores and have to play catch up.

Prediction: Lakota West 28, Lakota East 13 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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