This past Friday night was a football game to remember for years. Playing against long time rival and #3 ranked Jesuit Crusaders the #1 ranked Lakers knew that they were in for a tough challenge. Senior Joe Hutson commented on playing against Jesuit and said, “It’s always fun when we play Jesuit because there a physical team that knows how to play football so every time we play them you know it’ll be a good aggressive game.” The Lakers and Crusaders have a well documented football history, both among the best teams in the state every year. The last game between the two teams was the 2018 Semifinal, with the Lakers winning 24-14 en route to their second state championship. 

In the first quarter, the Lakers had all the confidence and the Crusaders fell behind 17-0 due to an 18 yard run by Senior Casey Filkins, a field goal by Senior Diyar Dezay, and a 61 yard pass from Junior JJ Woodin to Senior Thomas Dukart. However, in the second quarter Jesuit responded with a touchdown, closing the gap to 17-7. But, the Lakers responded again as Senior Marshall McGuire hauled in a 48 yard pass from Woodin. Right before the half it was the Crusaders who would keep fighting and score again to make the score 24-14. 

The first few minutes after the half were scoreless until Campbell Brandt of Jesuit intercepted Woodin’s pass for a pick-six, narrowing the Lakers lead to 24-21. However, it was Filkins who responded once again, for a 29 yard run to extend the Lakers lead to 31-21 with about 1 minute to go in the third quarter. The next Lakers possession, Filkins extended the Lakers lead to 37-21 after the blocked PAT with 11:21 to go in the fourth. 

Again, the Crusaders had an answer, with a touchdown by running back Kade Wisher to make the score 37-27 after the failed two- point conversion. After more back and forth scores, the Lakers led with 44-34 with 6:53 left in the fourth after Filkins ran 68 yards to the endzone. But once again, the Crusaders would not back down. 

With 2:46 left in the fourth, Wisher ran the ball in from 5 yards out, cutting the Laker lead to 44-41. At a crucial spot late in the game, the Lakers ran the clock out to grab the huge win 44-41. The Lakers were led by 2018 OSAA Offensive Player of the Year Filkins who had a huge game with 23 carries for 225 yards 3 TDs. Woodin also had a great game, with 2 TDs and 167 passing yards. Dukart had 3 receptions for 120 yards and two TD’s.