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Preview: Lakota West at Princeton

Princeton's RJ West: Photo by Autumn Duncan/TriStateFootball.com

It’s an early Greater Miami Conference showdown when Lakota West makes the short trip over to Chester Road to take on Princeton in Sharonville. Two conference leaders who have been dominant in their victories in league play will collide in a matchup featuring droves of talented players and head coaches who have won at the highest level. Both the Firebirds and Vikings will be looking to make a statement and send a message to the rest of the conference and Division I Region IV as a whole on Friday night.

#1 Lakota West (4-0, 3-0 GMC) at #4 Princeton (4-0, 3-0 GMC)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., September 16th
Mancuso Field at Viking Stadium
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: Lakota West is as talented as they come, and it starts at the quarterback position with senior Mitch Bolden. The conference’s second leading passer has thrown for 698 yards and nine touchdowns while also rushing for 208 yards and another score. He has hooked up with the GMC’s leading receiver Brennan Remy 17 times with 5 of those being for touchdowns. Defensively the Firebirds hold one of the top ranked defenses in the area with the players to back it up. Malik Hartford (Ohio State), Ben Minich (Notre Dame), and Joshua Fussell (Northwestern) lead a no-fly zone secondary. Junior linebacker Jacob Asbeck leads the conference in sacks.

The Vikings look to an abundance of high-octane athletes to overwhelm opponents. Quarterback RJ West leads the GMC in passing yards with 699 and has tossed nine touchdown passes. He also ranks 10th in the conference in rushing with 223 yards and another four scores. Senior Riley Woods, who is second in the league in receptions (13 rec, 293 yds, 5 TD) has been the favorite Viking target on the perimeter. The speedy wideout has been exceptional in the open field by making big plays after short grabs.  6’3 wide receiver Dorian Williams is fifth in the conference in receiving (8 rec, 173 yds, 2 TD) and a constant deep threat for the Vikings. Defensively Princeton has leaned on Breeon Ishmail. The senior linebacker has 29 tackles (3rd), a sack, and entertains a plethora of high major college offers.

TEAM TRENDS: Lakota West has been a stingy defensive team all season long as they have stuffed opposing offenses relentlessly. The Firebirds have given up an average of only 6.5 points per game this season and have only given up 13 points total through three conference games. Offensively, Mitch Bolden has accounted for 906 of the 1,358 total yards on the season for the defending conference champions.

The Vikings like to put up numbers that resemble basketball scores. Princeton averages 46.5 points per game and have scored 71 and 61 points respectively in games this season. They have also stepped up their game defensively as they have pitched a shutout in their last three outings. On offense RJ West has 922 total yards on the season and is one of the best dual threat play callers in the area.

HEAD COACHES:

Lakota West: Tom Bolden (30-7 at Lakota West, three years; 162-28 overall, 15 years)

Princeton: Andre Parker (15-2 at Princeton, one year; 92-37 overall, 12 years)

PLAYOFF HISTORY:

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

Princeton (17 appearances, 22-14) – 2021, 2020, 2019, 2007, 2001, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990 (State runner-up), 1988 (State Runner-up), 1987 (State Champion), 1985, (State Champion), 1982, 1980, 1978 (State Champion), 1972 (State runner-up)

LAKOTA WEST KEYS TO VICTORY: Make the game physical. The Firebirds would rather not get into a scoring match with Princeton. Bringing a tough hard-nosed game of football would suit them well in their quest to victory. Not giving up the big play and controlling tempo will lead them to victory.

PRINCETON KEYS TO VICTORY: Play fast and aggressive. The Vikings love to score and score quickly. They should play with the same tempo and fervor that has gotten them in position to get a huge home win. If Princeton can continue to get their athletes in space and make plays defensively in crunch time, they will be celebrating a big triumph.

Prediction: Lakota West 27, Princeton 24

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