After promising start, Lakewood looking to deliver finishing kick
HEBRON ― West Muskingum is expected to contend for the Muskingum Valley League Small School Division title, but on last Thursday's opening night, the Tornadoes found themselves in quite a fight with visiting Lakewood.
Two late touchdowns enabled West to finally pull away to a 48-28 victory. However, the improved Lancers served notice they will not be an easy out in 2023.
"They knew they had to bring their 'A' game," coach John Poulnott told his team after the game, delayed by an hour in the fourth quarter due to lightning. "I'm proud of your fight. That's a good team over there, and this one in here is, too."
Were it not for two big plays by West star Rashid Sesay, Lakewood may have been celebrating a win. The Lancers drove for a touchdown in the opening four minutes, but Sesay ran the ensuing kickoff back for a tying score. Adam Crawford, who ran for a 3-yard score, threw a 12-yard TD pass to Tyler Christman to go up 14-7, only to see Sesay get loose for a 54-yard TD off a short hitch route.
Twice in the second half, the Lancers fought back within a touchdown, on another TD run by Crawford and Isaiah Mitchell's determined 36-yard scoring jaunt, only to finally run out of gas. Crawford completed 15-of-23 passes for 146 yards with a touchdown and interception, and also proved to be a running threat with a net 66 yards in 22 carries, which would have been more were it not for 41 yards in sacks and tackles for loss.
"A lot of work has gone into this, and we just need to find a way to finish in the fourth quarter. We've diversified the playbook," Crawford said. Added senior tight end Nate Lee, who caught three passes for 29 yards: "Adam has been doing a lot better job in practice of running the ball. Our receivers are a lot better, and have shown a lot of growth since last year. We didn't give up, and I'm proud of my teammates."
Hunter Crawford hauled in five passes for 66 yards and Christman three for 22 yards, while Mitchell had 10 carries for 85 yards and also caught three passes.
"We've worked all summer and put countless hours in on the grind," said Christman, who also intercepted a pass and had a tackle for loss. "Our offense came out the first couple of times and put it in the end zone. We just need to find another gear in the fourth quarter. It makes us want to work that much harder and get back in the weightroom. We have that drive and motivation."
Cody Allen added a fumble recovery for Lakewood,, which plays its home opener on Friday against Liberty Union, a 48-0 loser to Heath.
"You guys played great in spurts, and drives were kept alive by big plays on several people's parts," Poulnott told the team. "But we have to come together collectively. It comes down to technique and lack of the execution that we're looking for. We have to finish tackles."
That being said, the Lancers will bring some encouragement back to Calhoun Stadium on Friday, before hitting the road for back-to-back games at Bexley and Zanesville.
"The coaches believe that we are a force to be reckoned with," Poulnott said.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: After promising start, Lakewood looking to deliver finishing kick
