LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio – With playoff seeding and local bragging rights on the line, the Lakota East Thunderhawks took down their arch rival Lakota West, their first victory over the Firebirds since 2018.
Head coach Jon Kitna and the Thunderhawks’ offensive game plan against West was simple: get senior tailback Ryder Hooks the football. Hooks, the second-year starter for East, was simply dominant on Friday night.
Hooks rushed for 288 yards and four touchdowns, including scores of 35 and 46 yards. Hooks additionally had a 28-yard reception, putting him at over 300 all-purpose yards for the contest. With Hooks and the rushing attack working so well for the Thunderhawks, quarterback Nile Knutson and the East passing attack was able to take advantage.
⚠️SCORE ALERT⚠️
THUNDERHAWKS rushing TD making quite the statement at the Hawk’s Nest
42-28 East 2:22 in Q4 #FridayFootballLive #tsfootball #Redzonecoverage @tsfootball @TGIFfootball @LakotaEastFB @westfirebirds @LakotaWestFB @LWHSBC @gmcsports @LakotaEastAD @LakotaWestAD pic.twitter.com/DwCZ9Qdlnz
— Gracie Copfer (@grace_copfer) October 25, 2025
Knutson, the young sophomore in his first contest against West, was impressive in his own right, as he threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns on 14 completions to partner his senior rb’s incredible night.
Seniors Patrick MacFarlane and Carter Jones caught Knutson’s touchdown throws, from five and 14-yards out, respectively. Additionally, MacFarlane was specifically efficient during the game, averaging over 15-yards per reception.
For the first time since 2018, Lakota East tops Lakota West.
Ryder Hooks rushes for nearly 300 yards and five touchdowns to help bolster the Thunderhawks’ playoff resume.@WLWT | @LakotaEastFB @LakotaEastAD @ryderhooks @NileKnutson @Jordan_kitna3 pic.twitter.com/Rm90KB1x2J
— Jaron May (@jaron_may) October 25, 2025
While West tried to keep it a close game throughout the second half, they were unable to find any defensive answers for Hooks, Knutson and the East’s offensive attack.
Despite the scoreboard, both offenses were equally as impressive, as the West offense found success on the ground as well, to the tune of 135 yards for junior tailback Kenyon Norman, and 109 yards rushing on just three carries for junior quarterback Jackson Smith.
In addition to Smith’s devastating rushing attack, the West signal caller was efficient in the passing game as well, throwing for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
The difference in the game came down to not just Ryder Hook’s huge night, but the Thunderhawks defensive unit as well. East’s defense forced two turnovers from the Firebirds offense; one interception and one fumble recovery. Lakota East turned each of those two turnovers into touchdowns, which was all the difference in this high-powered offensive game.
The forced fumble was caused and recovered by Hooks, only adding onto his star-making performance in the brightest lights. It was junior Beckett Bush who was able to grab the interception off of Smith.
With their first win over Lakota West in seven years, the Thunderhawks moved into sole possession of third place in the GMC, and will host a home playoff game in the first round of the OHSAA playoffs.
Despite the loss, the Firebirds will still also host a first-round home playoff game, where West will look to rebound and find their footing before competing in the ever-tough DI region four.
SCORING BY QUARTERS
Lakota West: 7-0-7-14-28
Lakota East: 14-0-14-14-42
SCORING PLAYS
E: Ryder Hooks 35 run (AJ Fitzstephens kick)
E: Carter Jones 14 pass from Nile Knutson (Fitzstephens kick)
W: Kenyon Norman 8 run (Kofi Adubofuor kick)
E: Hooks 46 run (Fitzstephens kick)
E: Patrick MacFarlane 5 pass from Knutson (Fitzstephens kick)
W: Tyson Davis 4 pass from Smith (Adubofuor kick)
RECORDS: Lakota West (6-4, 6-3 GMC); Lakota East (7-3, 6-3)
UP NEXT: OHSAA Playoffs – matchups TBD.
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Get the complete scores from all of this week’s action on the Underground Sports Shop Scoreboard at TriStateFootball.com/scores.
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