The562’s coverage of football in 2024-25 is sponsored by The Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase.
The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
One game doesn’t tell the story of a team, but if Lakewood’s home opener against visiting Carlsbad on Friday was any indication, the Lancers would be just as advertised in 2024.
The Lancers stuck to their game plan on Friday night, relying on their run game behind the legs of St. Anthony transfer Jojo Apisala who poured on 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns en route to a gritty win over Carlsbad, 20-17.
“I just put my teammates before myself. I love that they trust me,” said Apisala, who averaged six yards per carry in his Lakewood debut. “I’m very honored to have that opportunity with their trust. It’s a little nerve wracking but I have to put my head down and work, and do it for my boys.”
“He’s a special player, but also just a special human being,” said Lakewood coach Justin Utupo of Apisala. “His leadership both on the field and off the field. He’s taken his teammates with him to church on Sunday, and he gets it at a young age. The future is bright for him.”
For Utupo, Friday night also brought back memories to his time as a player. Across the field from him stood Carlsbad coach Thadd Macneal, former Lakewood coach who Utupo played for in high school. Utupo recognized the impact of Macneal on both himself and Lakewood after the game, saying he wouldn’t be the man he is today without him.
“Nothing but love and respect for [Macneal]. He’s taught me everything I know. He inspired me to be who I am today leading this program and it’s a special evening just being able to share the field with him once more.”
Subscribe to the562 on GiveButter to make a recurring donation and keep Long Beach sports coverage free!
After a missed field goal on their opening drive, the Lancer’s defense got to work early thanks to an Ayeven Aupiu pick to set Lakewood up in Carlsbad territory. Kade Casillas then hit Kenny Niumataevalu on a screen pass before taking it 53 yards down the right sideline into the endzone to give Lakewood an early lead. Apisala backed it up on the ensuing drive with a touchdown rush from one yard out to give Lakewood the early lead, 13-0.
The Lancers defense kept Carlsbad scoreless until giving up a field goal on their ensuing drive. Carlsbad then found the endzone with 21 second before the half, conducting a methodical two-minute drill ending in an unlikely tipped throw that fell into the hands of Jake Morrison. Lakewood went into the half still up 13-10 however was momentum certainly wearing Carlsbad purple and while.
“That’s just football,” said Utupo. “Sometimes the ball just falls into your hands in the right place at the right time.”
Carlsbad continued their momentum after receiving the second half kickoff, led by Morrison out of the backfield where he capped off a 75-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown rush. The drive lasted 6:31 and gave Carlsbad a 17-13 lead.
In desperate need of a spark, Kade Casilles dropped back on the ensuing drive before taking off out of the pocket and running down the right sideline for a 73-yard scamper before stumbling out of bounds at the two-yard line. Apisala capped it off with another short-yardage plunge into the endzone to give Lakewood the lead back, 20-17.
“It was a ‘make a play’ type of run. Just needed to make a play and if we didn’t get it it could have gone bad for us,” said Casilles, who hadn’t had many big plays outside of his long run. “I didn’t care if I threw the ball less than 100 yards and we won. A win is a win and that’s all we want.”
Lakewood held onto the ball after a pick by Nasir Jenkins, before running out the clock in the fourth quarter with Apisala. The Lancers turned the ball over on downs with 51 seconds remaining, however a Viane Leilua interception sealed the night for a dominant performance from the Lakewood defense.
“Our defense was fighting hard all four quarters and we talked about finishing the second half hard with effort and enthusiasm,” said Leilua. “Game gotta be over so I called it a game.”
“Red swarm defense, they go out there, finish the job and get it done,” said Utupo. “We talked about doing your job, swarming to the football, and they understood the task. I’m proud of that group.”
Considering recent results, Lakewood came into the game as underdogs to a Carlsbad team with a proven track record of success. Utupo says that he wants to keep this rate of play up, and thinks that a win like this can spark the beginning of a good season.
“It sets the tone. It gives these guys a spark early on in the season. Obviously starting fast is great for the team morale, but when we go back and watch this film we’re gonna see a lot of places where we can improve so it’s back to the grind.”
The Lancers will go on to face St. Anthony on the road Thursday at 7 pm.
