Licking Valley football shines in all phases against Lakewood
HANOVER — A 21-point first quarter for the Licking Valley football team removed any suspense Friday, but coach Randy Baughman's eyes were on the second half.
Baughman's first-team defense held visiting Lakewood out of the end zone late in the third quarter. It ultimately preserved the Panthers' first shutout of the season, 41-0.
"We talked all week about finishing games. I just haven't been pleased all year long with the way we've finished any game," Baughman said. "That was the emphasis all week. We had a good week of practice, and it carried over."
Lakewood (0-5) twice moved inside the 10-yard line. In the second quarter, junior Logan Workman blocked a field goal to cap a defensive stand, and the Panthers (3-2) sacked Lakewood junior Tyler Christman twice before his completed pass to classmate Adam Crawford ended with sophomores Kam Walker and Alek Diller tackling Crawford at the 1-yard line on fourth-and-goal late in the third quarter.
The Panthers held the Lancers to 99 total yards. The total included minus-3 yards rushing thanks to a charge up front led by seniors Tom Schneider and Theo Walsh and junior Titan Priest.
"The (shutout) means everything to us," said Workman, who also broke up a pass in the end zone. "We work for that every single game. I am blessed my team was able to do so."
Junior Isaiah Mitchell appeared to deliver Lakewood another explosive first-quarter play. He raced down the right sideline with a screen for a 60-yard score, but it was nullified by a holding penalty.
Mitchell's 37-yard catch and run on another screen moved the Lancers to the 5-yard line before Workman's blocked field goal. His 21-yard run was the highlight of the drive in the third quarter that ended just short of the goal line.
"That's what we've faced all year," Lakewood coach John Poulnott said. "Either we are moving the ball and not finishing drives or getting big plays and having a little snag like that. It's just a process we are fighting right now. Kids are engaging and trying to play through those situations, so we are excited about their effort."
A holding penalty on Lakewood's second play from scrimmage helped Valley force a quick three-and-out. The Panthers quickly drove down the field as runs of 19 and 7 yards for senior Colton Carr set up a 3-yard touchdown run for junior quarterback Hayden Rodgers.
Valley quickly struck again on its second drive as Rodgers hit senior Gavin Bragg for a 19-yard TD pass. Walsh ended the next Lakewood drive with sack, and he capped the ensuing Valley drive with a 12-yard TD run to give the Panthers a 21-0 lead.
"It makes a lot easier to have trust and people you can rely on to make other tackles or other big plays and not just yourself," said Walsh, who has made an impact in all three phases despite not playing football since his freshman year.
"They told me junior year I should play, and something just clicked that it wasn't for me that year," he added. "I've really missed it. I started hitting the weight room on my own, and I knew this year was mine."
Lakewood's best defensive stand of the first half came midway through the second quarter when sophomores Logan Bush and Hunter Crawford forced a scrambling Rodgers to misfire on fourth down.
The Lancers continued to shuffle the deck with Christman taking over for Crawford at quarterback late in the second quarter, sending Crawford to receiver. Lane Allen later entered at center with senior Stewart Poulnott shifting out to left tackle to replace injured senior Jacob Ellinger.
"Hopefully, we have an injury that's not going to be prolonged because Jacob Ellinger is one of our best kids," John Poulnott said. "With (senior running back) Josh Hicks out right now, that's the best group we can have out there. It's probably going to be Christman's opportunity again because Adam gives us a lot of options on the outside, too."
Rodgers hit senior Ayden Stalnaker in stride for a 62-yard TD catch late in the first half to push the Valley lead to 28-0. Carr scored on a 14-yard TD run after Lakewood's failed onside kick to start the second half, and backup sophomore quarterback Evan Lichtenauer's 3-yard TD run capped the scoring in the fourth quarter.
ksnyder@newarkadvocate.com
740-973-4541
Twitter: @newarkurt
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking Valley football shines in all phases against Lakewood
