Newark Catholic deals Lakewood first loss, 30-10
NEWARK - Coach Bill Franks' constant message to his Green Wave is overcome.
NC has had to do plenty of that during the first half of the season, but so far, so good. The Green Wave (4-1) overcame five turnovers Saturday to deal visiting Lakewood (4-1) its first loss, 30-10, in a Licking County League crossover game at White Field and set up a pair of colossal meetings the next two weeks with Cardinal Division rivals Heath and Johnstown.
The NC offense put its defense in a few precarious positions, but the Green Wave never buckled. NC held Lakewood out of the end zone on two first-half trips into the red zone, and Nolan Jurden and Tanner Lake each answered second-half turnovers with interceptions.
"We have always had the mentality to bend but do not break," Jurden said. "We want to go out there and fight. We always know they are not in the end zone until they cross that line."
Lakewood overcame its struggles in the red zone in a couple early-season victories, but that bugaboo reared its ugly head at a bad time. Back-to-back stops in the backfield by Jacob Lumbatis forced Lakewood to settle for a John Hoffman 32-yard field goal at the end of a 15-play drive in the first quarter.
"Our senior leader Sam Bending told me to blitz 'B' and that just opened up the hole," Lumbatis said.
Trailing 14-3 late in the second quarter, Cameron Downs' interception gave the Lancers the ball at the NC 15-yard line. They, however, missed a field goal after gaining two yards on three plays.
Lakewood was held to 118 yards rushing and 126 yards passing. The Green Wave also recovered two fumbles, the second coming on Nate Liesen's corner blitz during the fourth quarter.
"Hat's off to Newark Catholic, their guys up front absolutely dominated us," Lakewood coach Craig Conley said. "Our guys weren't getting off the ball, and our guys weren't sustaining blocks. (NC) came off the ball fast, got off blocks and were making plays. Holes were open for about a split-second, and they would close real quick."
The NC offense threw a changeup at Lakewood, and that kept the Lancers off-balance. With the Lancers keying on star running back Kyle Gibson, Hunter Chapman racked up 114 yards on 12 carries. His 49-yard run set up Cameron Lewis' 1-yard clinching touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
"(Gibson) is a heck of a runner, and we knew they would be closing down on him," Chapman said. "It's not really in the game plan, but we always have it there. I just kept it this time."
The Green Wave also threw the ball to Gibson more frequently, and he shed a number of tackles for a 63-yard touchdown reception. On the opening drive of the second half, Chapman moved out of the pocket and hit Gibson in space, who turned it into a 29-yard touchdown.
Chapman finished 14-of-20 for 253 yards through the air. Gibson and Mason Peddicord had four catches apiece, and Lake, who was back from injury, and Grant Myers added three catches each.
Gibson had 83 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown run, on 18 carries, but he left with an apparent ankle injury during the fourth quarter.
Scott Painter was 11-of-23 for 126 yards, hitting six different receivers, and he added 79 rushing yards. Chase Shaffer's 1-yard touchdown run accounted for the Lancers' only score.
"Their quarterback was dangerous," Franks said. "He kept his eyes upfield and made plays all night amongst some real tough pressure from our defensive unit. He really kept them in the ball game."
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