The Lakota East Thunderhawks entered the game limping with only one win on the season after beating the Colerain Cardinals in week six. The Firebirds, on the other hand, came into the game riding an impressive five-game winning streak that helped them find their way right back into the GMC title race. With this as the case, many expected this matchup to be a blowout. That said, the energy and momentum that comes with playing in a rivalry game like this one creates a more level playing field.
As Head Coach John Kitna’s Thunderhawks circled the stadium in the busses, the noise from the “Hawks Nest” was instantly one of the rowdiest crowds West has had to face this year. West would quickly turn the tables, however, after stopping QB Jamison Kitna and the Lakota East offense, forcing a punt. After a fantastic jump from Taebron Bennie-Powell, things quickly went from bad to worse for the Hawks, as Bennie-Powell scooped up the blocked punt and returned it for an easy score.
It was then that the Red Sea became its loudest.
“I had my headset on for the broadcast team and I could still hear the Lakota West Red Sea from over 100 Yards away,” West sophomore Noah Bramble said.
“They also had to be overheard by the Hawks Nest who also was making their presence known.”
The game wouldn’t have gone the same for West without the support of the crowd.
From there, the West defense would continue to do what it had done all season. It held East to a very limited number of yards in the first half and forced the Hawks off the field quickly. Offensively for West, Sam Wiles and the Firebird offense had some struggles early with capping off drives with touchdowns but were able to land two field goals off the leg of Brayden Benner to move the score to 13-0 West heading into the half.
The third quarter would start off slow with the Thunderhawks missing a multitude of opportunities to fight their way back into the game. On the other hand, West was able to find the end zone with 2:36 remaining in the half for their first offensive touchdown of the night. Sam Wiles connected with Brennan Remy for 16 yards and a West six.
Coach Bolden was not content with a 20-0 lead against a rival like East, however. West would continue to throw the ball downfield to set up opportunities to punch the ball into the end zone and run up the score. Sam Wiles would pick up another rushing touchdown early in the quarter to move the ballgame to 27-0. Later in the quarter, WR Tyson Davis was able to find the end zone on a 17-yard rush to officially put a running clock on the Thunderhawks.
At the final whistle, the Firebirds stood victorious over their district rivals 34-0. They picked up their sixth victory in a row and will now turn to Mason at home this Friday night.
