Game Story: Westlake 35, Lakewood 17

[Michael Deneen]

The Lakewood High School football team traveled to Westlake on this brisk autumn Friday night. Ranger fans cautiously pointed to this game against Westlake as a good opportunity to pick up the first win of the season. Both Lakewood and Westlake entered the game with a record of 0-6, so someone was guaranteed to enter the win column. Unfortunately for the Lakewood, the Demons emerged 35-17 winners.

The evening began ominously for Lakewood, as Westake marched down the field on its first drive to take a 7-0 lead. They went 60 yards in less than two minutes, capping the drive with a 16 yard touchdown run by JaQuan Hardy. The Rangers appeared to go "three and out" on the next drive, punting the ball away to the Demons. Ranger punter James Marshall launched a very good punt, which then rolled very deep into Westlake territory. The Westlake punt returner picked up the ball and attempted to returun it, but fumbled. Ranger junior Tommy Paul alertly recovered the ball at the Demon 13 yard line. The Rangers were unable to get a touchdown, but James Marshall kicked a field goal to make the score 7-3 with 6:41 left in the first quarter.

Westlake went "three and out" on its next drive, then punted back to the Rangers. Lakewood ran the ball down to the Westlake 26 yard line, utilizing Michael Goolsby, Maleek Mims, and Quentin Palmer. On a 2nd and 10 play from the 26, quarterback Jack Witri threw a pass down the right side, and it was tipped forward into the hands of Chris Massey. Massey snatched the ball out of the air and ran it in for a touchdown. James Marshall hit the extra point to put the Rangers up 10-7 with 1:24 left in the first quarter.

The 10-7 score held through most of the second quarter, thanks in part to opportunistic defense. Junior defensive back Sean Wiggins intercepted a Demon pass early in the second period, thwarting a Westlake drive. The teams exchanged punts, and Westlake took the lead 13-10 on a five yard touchdown run by Hardy with 4:04 left in the half.

The game got away from the Rangers late in the fourth quarter, when Lakewood punted to Westlake with just over two minutes left in the half. The Demons went on an 84 yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a 31 yard touchdown run by Hardy with 46 seconds left. Westlake converted a two point conversion that made the score 21-10. Lakewood failed to move the ball on thei next drive and punted again to Westlake with only 19 seconds left in the half. The punt was partially blocked, giving the ball to the Demons at the Lakewood 45. Westlake scored a touchdown on the final play of the half, a 26 yard touchdown pass. This play made the score 28-10, and seemed to put the game out of reach.

The score held through the third quarter, as the Ranger defense kept the Demons in check. Sophomore Basho Khawam recovered a Westlake fumble late in the 3rd, helping to hold the margin to 18. However, the Ranger offense was unable to put together a sustained drive.

Lakewood scored early in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 28-17. The 64 yard drive included key catches by Quentin Palmer and Adam Giffels. It was finished by a 10 yard touchdown pass from Witri to Palmer with 10:01 left in the game. Any hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed when Westlake recovered the ensuing onside kick, and ran it back for a touchdown. That play made the lead 35-17. The teams exchanged possessions the rest of the night, and play on both sides got increasingly sloppy. There were numerous penalties on both sides in the fourth quarter, causing the game to last until nearly 10pm.

Lakewood returns to action next Friday at First Federal Stadium with a 7pm game against Midview High School. It is the annual "Pink Out" game, where fans are asked to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness.

[Alex Belisle]

Photo gallery:


http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... s-westlake

[Michael Deneen]

The Battle of 0-6 teams still brought out a good crowd, including a few local celebrities:



College football guru Phil Steele, a Westlake resident, brought his daughter to the game to help her learn the game.
Phil writes and owns the most respected College Football season guide on the market. He frequently appears on media outlets such as ESPN, Fox Sports Ohio, and countless radio stations across the nation.



Local comedian/Fox 8 personality Mike Polk Jr. was there to cover the game for "Friday Night Touchdown".

Not pictured is Michael Reghi, longtime local sports personality and former Cavs TV announcer. He was in the stands with his family.



Westlake running back JaQuan Hardy had a big night, running for over 200 yards


Lakewood kicker/punter James Marshall has had a good season. Last night he made all of his kicks (2 XPs, 1 FG).


Ranger running back Maleek Mims running for some tough yardage


Ranger wide receiver Chris Massey going for a touchdown in the first half.


The Band persevered on a chilly evening.
They travel to Bowling Green today to be part of BGSU's "Band Day" at the Falcons game.


Ranger playmaker Michael Goolsby suffered a shoulder injury


Goolsby returned to the game


Halftime is snack time for the cheerleaders!


The Rangerettes performing with the band at halftime

[Jim O'Bryan]

Mike and Alex

Thank you.

I have done this, gone to a game on a cold autumn evening, with little hope for great news, but still want and need to put out good photos and good copy. You guys are pros and making it look better than it sometimes is. Thank you.


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[Alex Belisle]

B&W so wonderfully tells a story. Read it for yourself.