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Princeton edges out Lakota East 

Princeton LB P.J. Nelson (photo courtesy of ScoutingOhio.com)

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio – In a tightly contested conference battle, the #2 Princeton Vikings squeezed out a last-second victory over the #17 Lakota East Thunderhawks. Despite the high-profile offensive attacks for both teams, the difference in the game came down to special teams.

Lakota East started the game off with a long offensive drive that chewed up over 6 minutes of the first half clock, as senior QB Jamison Kitna found success throwing to his junior halfback Ryder Hooks out of the backfield. Coupled with some Vikings penalties on defense, the Thunderhawks were able to end their long opening drive with a 28-yard field goal from junior kicker Tyler Gruber.

After forcing a turnover-on-downs from Princeton, the Thunderhawks’ offensive attack went right back to work, driving down the field and forcing more mistakes from the Vikings’ defense, culminating in a nifty 6-yard touchdown pass from Kitna to his junior tight end Patrick MacFarlane.

Facing a 10-point deficit early in the contest, Princeton finally put together a solid offensive drive, using a quick passing game to streak down the field and into East territory. Princeton junior QB De’Angelo Birch ripped off a solid run to put the Vikings within the 5-yard line, but it took four plays for Princeton to finally punch the ball into the end zone. On fourth down from the East one yard line, the Vikings coaching staff put DB Andrew Wells in at halfback, and the junior successfully pushed across the goal line, cutting into East’s lead, 10-7.

Birch held strong throughout the evening’s contest, despite East throwing everything they had at the junior signal caller. He ended the night’s contest with 89 yards through the air and 66 with his legs. Senior wide receiver Antonio Hunter had 66 yards receiving.

Lakota East head coach Jon Kitna’s offense continued their dominance in time of possession during the ensuing drive, holding the ball for the majority of the last 5 minutes of the second quarter. The Thunderhawks successfully pushed the ball into Vikings’ territory, but a 4th down conversion from Kitna to junior WR Christopher Bouyer was called back on a holding call. East was forced to punt, but Princeton got the ball with only 1:13 left on the clock in the half.

East was able to force their first sack of the night on the final play of the half, giving the Thunderhawks a 10-7 advantage over Princeton going into the locker rooms.

Princeton found a spark of life early in the second half with a special teams play, blocking an East punt and senior linebacker Paul Nelson scooped up the ball in the end zone for a touchdown and the lead, 14-10.

Defense prevailed for both sides throughout the opening acts of the second half, with each squad forcing three-and-outs and quick defensive stops to keep the game in a close battle well into the fourth quarter. Lakota East had multiple chances on offense to take control of the contest, but a series of missed short-yardage field goals cost them points.

It wasn’t until midway through the fourth quarter that the Thunderhawks offense finally broke through, when Kitna found junior receiver Zion Neal in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown, and the lead. The extra point attempt following the touchdown by freshman kicker AJ Fitzstephens hit the right upright and bounced away from the goalposts, leaving East with just a 16-14 lead.

With the game on the line, Birch ripped a pass downfield on fourth down and it fell incomplete, causing celebration from the East sideline, but that celebration was short-lived. Pass interference was called on the play, giving Princeton new life.

“We showed up all fired-up and ready to work,” said Birch. “We listened to our coaches play call and trusted them. I knew I had to spread the ball out to my guys, don’t try to make too many plays. (Just) do what I’m taught.”

The Vikings were able to piece together a solid drive towards the end zone, even reaching the East one-yard line. Despite not being able to score and put the game on ice, the Vikings put their faith in junior kicker Cole Kimble.

Kimble knocked the chip-shot field goal through the uprights, giving the Vikings the come from behind victory.

“I envisioned it (going through) the net, I focused on my breathing,” said Kimble. “I was pretty confident, it was just a PAT field goal.”

Despite the loss, Kitna had an impressive game under center for the Thunderhawks, going 22-37 for 251 yards and two touchdowns. The East offense outgained Princeton 357 yards to 198, but the special teams gaffes were too much for East to overcome.

Princeton escapes Lakota East with a win, and sets themselves up for another GMC battle at home against Mason. The Thunderhawks will look to regroup for their next contest at Fairfield.

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS

Princeton head coach Andre Parker appeared on ESPN 1530’s High School Football Tonight…

SCORING BY QUARTER 
Princeton: 0-7-7-3-17
Lakota East: 3-7-0-6-16

SCORING PLAYS
L: Tyler Gruber 28 Kick
L: Patrick MacFarlane 10 pass from JT Kitna (AJ Fitzstephens kick)
P: Andrew Wells 2 run (Cole Kimble kick)
P: PJ Nelson 2 blocked punt recovery (Kimble kick)
L: Zion Neal 25 pass from Kitna (kick failed)
P: Kimble 19 kick

RECORDS: Princeton (3-1, 3-0);  Lakota East (2-2, 2-1)

UP NEXT: Princeton hosts Mason (1-3, 1-2); Lakota East travels to Fairfield (2-2, 2-1)

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