West silences Princeton
- Updated: November 4, 2022
WEST CHESTER, Ohio – Princeton visited Lakota West looking to get revenge for a regular season loss and more importantly to gain a trip to the Division I regional semi-finals. Lakota West was looking to continue their quest to take the next step to state. The GMC rematch featured the two top squads in the league and provided a great playoff atmosphere. The Firebirds came out meaning business from the jump on their way to a dominating victory on Friday night.
The hosts wasted hardly any time getting things started. The Firebirds took their first drive 75 yards in four plays for the opening touchdown. Mitch Bolden took a 40-yard rush up the middle for a big play and Trent Lloyd scampered 22 yards for a score on the very next play. Lakota West led 7-0 just 55 seconds in.
The Vikings got off to a shaky start as they fumbled the ball on two of their first three snaps. On third and long Princeton quarterback RJ West was stripped and sacked, and the Firebird defense recovered. One play later, Bolden went 23 yards untouched for a 14-0 advantage.
Princeton received great field position after a Firebird penalty. RJ West took the snap and went around the right side for a 44-yard gain into the redzone. The Firebird defense would hold and Princeton’s Will Oliver missed a 30-yard field goal after a high snap and the Vikings were turned away again.
Lakota West went on the offensive. The offense moved methodically down the field on an 80-yard touchdown drive. Lloyd and Bolden had solid runs and Eudes Gonzales Jr. caught two passes for 31 yards on the drive including a 12-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 21-0 after one quarter.
Princeton seemed to settle in during the second quarter. The Vikings defense was able to get West off the field, but their own offense couldn’t get going at all. A failed fake punt put the Firebirds in scoring position late in the second quarter and Bolden pushed one in up the gut from 8-yards out. The extra point failed, and West held a 27-0 lead heading to the break.
Lakota West outgained Princeton 204-100 in the first half. Bolden rushed for two scores and threw 84 yards and another score in the half.
The West defense continued to flex their muscles in the second half. The Firebirds pinned Princeton deep at the 1-yard line and would make a tackle for a safety to start the scoring in the second half. Later, Tyler Bohn would add a 32-yard field goal for a 32-0 lead and a running clock halfway through the third quarter. The Firebirds were able to run out the clock and come away with a 35-0 victory to advance to the next round.
Mitch Bolden finished the night with 15 carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He went 8-18 and 84 yards passing. Princeton was led by RJ West who rushed six times for 63 yards and added another 52 yards passing. The Vikings came in averaging over 35 points a game and were held scoreless for the first time all season.
The Lakota West defense has shut out their first two opponents this postseason
SCORING BY QUARTERS
Princeton 0-0-0-0-0
Lakota West 21-6-5-3-35
SCORING PLAYS
LW: Trent Lloyd 22-yard rush (Tyler Bohn kick)
LW: Mitch Bolden 23-yard rush (Bohn kick)
LW: Eudes Gonzales Jr. 12- yard rec from Mitch Bolden (Bohn kick)
LW: Mitch Bolden rush (kick failed)
LW: Team Safety
LW: Tyler Bohn 32-yard field goal
LW: Tyler Bohn 26-yard field goal
RECORDS: Princeton (9-3); Lakota West (12-0)
UP NEXT: Lakota West vs Elder
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