Steady running attack lifts Lakes over Kennewick, 35-6, in Class 3A quarterfinals
As a brisk, chilly November air cut through Harry Lang Stadium on Saturday, the Lakes Lancers were treading the water that they only reached a handful of times before.
The clock slowly ticked its way down to zeroes and the fans, coaches, cheerleaders and players especially began to cheer their return to the state semifinals.
The Lancers (10-2) punched their eighth ticket to the semifinals with a 35-6 victory against Kennewick in the Class 3A state playoff quarterfinals.
“It has been few years,” Lancers coach Dave Miller said. “These kids have worked hard to get there, so we are excited to get back into the final four.”
With a high-flying offense that came in averaging 47.5 points per game, it was a steady run game and a stifling defense that propelled the Lancers on this day.
Andrew Bostic and Yisrael Stephens combined to rush for 194 yards and three touchdowns, and the defense forced three fumbles — recovering one — and intercepted three passes. Lakes will now play defending state champion Eastside Catholic (11-0) in the semifinals Friday or Saturday at the Tacoma Dome at a time to be determined.
After a punt on their first possession, the Lakes defense forced a four and out, as Kennewick’s Dillon Plew threw incomplete on fourth-and-5.
“We came out and tried to play our game, but realized that they were a better team than we expected,” Stephens said. “We came back and stopped them on defense. Our defense wouldn’t let them (score).”
Bostic went to work early, carrying for several first downs and helping set up a long touchdown pass from Jaiave Magalei to Chris Hunter for an early 7-0 lead.
“We had to slowly understand that this is a playoff game, we need to play how we usually do,” Bostic said.
Lakes forced a quick three-and-out, and Bostic went back to work, rushing twice for 34 yards and a touchdown for a 14-0 lead.
Kennewick (6-6) then scored its lone touchdown of the game, as Raymond Gutierrez took the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for the score.
“We ended up being able to score on a lot of different plays,” Stephens said. “A lot of the time, we drove them down the field and they weren’t able to handle that.”
Stephens also had his time to shine, scoring the next touchdown for the Lancers. He carried four times for 37 yards and a touchdown for a 21-6 lead. Magalei added a 1-yard run for a commanding 28-6 halftime lead, and Stephens capped the scoring with a 10-yard run in the fourth quarter.
This story was originally published November 21, 2015 at 8:31 PM with the headline "Steady running attack lifts Lakes over Kennewick, 35-6, in Class 3A quarterfinals."