Lakes 56, North Thurston 0

Lakes’ football team has made a name for itself in the last decade with high-scoring offenses and air-it-out passing attacks.

The 2009 version still scores plenty of points, but the Lancers have embraced two football staples: a powerful running game and a defense that won’t budge.

Second-ranked Lakes posted its fifth shutout in seven games, rolling over North Thurston, 56-0, in the first round of the Class 3A state playoffs Friday night at Harry E. Lang Stadium.

“I guess we’re a little old-school now,” senior Darius Waters said.

The Lancers (11-0) will play No. 5 Mount Spokane (10-1) in the quarterfinals at 1 p.m. next Saturday at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane. The Wildcats defeated Hanford, 48-13, on Friday.

Lakes surged to a two-touchdown lead, scoring on its first two plays from scrimmage and leaving the Rams shell-shocked. Fullback Jordan Rivera dashed for a 69-yard touchdown on the first play and tailback Teddy Cotton ran untouched off left tackle for a 30-yard score, giving the Lancers a 14-0 lead just 123 seconds into the game.

“That was exactly what we hoped for,” Lakes coach Dave Miller said. “We wanted to dominate the line of scrimmage and shut down their run.”

With an early advantage, Lakes kept its offensive game plan simple. The Lancers attempted only six passes in the first half and three of those were deep passes in the last minute of the half. Lakes’ triumvirate of ballcarriers – tailback Willis Wilson, Cotton and Rivera – totaled 228 yards on 15 carries. Rivera, a 6-foot-2, 235-pound bruiser with speed, led Lakes with 123 yards on seven rushes. For the second week in a row, Rivera took snaps in the Wildcat formation.

Quarterback Cedric Dozier and Wilson each added two touchdown runs as Lakes built a 48-0 lead halfway through the third quarter. The Lancers finished with 400 yards of offense, despite pulling their starters in the third quarter.

“We’ve got good backs,” said Waters, who plays tight end and linebacker. “Big backs, small backs and they’re all fast backs. Our coaches say our line might be the best ever at Lakes. All that together is just amazing.”

Lakes bottled up the Rams’ 1,000-yard running back, Lawyer Tillman, holding the junior to 40 yards on 10 attempts. Tillman broke free for a 47-yard gain on a fake reverse late in the first half, but that drive ended with Blue Kearney intercepting quarterback Jake Klumker. North Thurston finished with nine yards of total offense.

The Rams are no strangers to Lakes. The two teams played each other when the Lancers were in the Western Cascade Conference. North Thurston coach Rocky Patchin said this Lakes team is the best he’s ever seen.

“They’re big, physical and fast,” he said. “They have a tremendous defense.”

Patchin addressed his team after the game and told the Rams not to hang their heads.

“I’m so proud of these guys,” he said. “We were picked to finish at the bottom of the league, a bunch of nobodies.”

After playing at home for its last three games, Lakes must travel more than 300 miles for its quarterfinal contest against Mount Spokane. Waters said the team would take a business-like approach to the overnight road trip.

“We’ve got to keep our minds on the game, that’s the reason we’re going over there,” he said. “Just get on the bus, put on some music and stay focused.”

Doug Pacey: 253-597-9271

doug.pacey@thenewstribune.com

blog.thenewstribune.com/preps

MORE HIGH SCHOOL ACTION

FOOTBALL: Two big pass plays doom Capital to a loss to Union, 30-12, and an early playoff exit. B4

SWIMMING: Capital’s Hansi Willoughby stops the clock with her head, but still has a good day. B4

TODAY

FOOTBALL: Timberline will rely on balanced offense, run-stopping defense against Glacier Peak. B4

 • 7 p.m., South Sound Stadium, 1240-AM