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.
The562’s coverage of Cabrillo Athletics is sponsored by the Cohn Family.
The Lakewood Lancers (4-3, 2-1) displayed complimentary football on Friday night, as they defeated the Cabrillo Jaguars (2-4, 1-2), 49-0.
“It was a great bounce back week. [We took] it one day at a time, one game at a time, having a short term memory after last week. Before the game we did the math, there was only 192 guaranteed minutes left in the season. When we come out here, we need to take advantage of every opportunity,” commented Lakewood head coach Justin Utupo.
Lakewood started the game off hot, and they did not look back. With excellent field position on the opening kick off, Lancers made quick work, as junior quarterback Kade Casillas darted the ball to junior wide receiver Quan Morgan on a tunnel screen for the first score. Lancers were up 7-0, only using 41 seconds off the clock.
Cabrillo’s opening drive started with sophomore quarterback who Danny Lopez connected with senior tight end Isreal Clayton for a big opening play. However, Lakewood’s Red Swarm defense and mental miscues would sputter the Jaguas’ drive. Lancer penalties kept the drive alive, and Cabrillo chewed up almost seven minutes of game time. Despite the breaks, on fourth and 15 at the Lancers’ 31 yard line, Lopez was sacked, and Cabrillo turned over on downs.
Picking up where they left off, Casillas found senior playmaker Cecil Xavier Smith on a bubble screen, and Smith dashed up the sideline before being pushed out of bounds at the one yard line. Senior running back Nytrell Miller punched in for the score, and Lancers were up two scores with 2:29 left in the first quarter, keeping that lead at the end of the first.
Lakewood’s senior running back and leader Josiah Apisala showcased the Lancers’ furious mentality as he bulled his way from the 35 yard line down to outside the Jaguars’ red zone. Cabrillo’s Joe Gogue reinvigorated energy to the home crowd with a huge sack on Casillas to force third and long. However, Miller swung momentum back to Lakewood, converting the first down at the two yard line, then calling his number for his second score of the night. Lancers’ led 21-0 with 10:03 left in the first half.
The Jaguars had opportunities available but made slight executional mistakes like dropped balls or missed blocks which stalled any gain offensively. Lakewood would score two more times before the first half ended on a Casillas 16 yard scramble at the 5:40 mark, and Apisala on a zone read following a Cabrillo fumble in their own red zone. Lakewood went into the half up 35-0.
Coming out of the locker room, the Red Swarm defense continued to hound Cabrillo. On the Jaguars’ second half opening drive, Lakewood’s Jordan Montegomry picked off sophomore quarterback Fernando Leanos. With some razzle-dazzle, Casillas found a wide open junior tight end Caleb Tafua, as we walked into the end zone. Lakewood was up 42-0 with eight minutes, and running, left in the third quarter.
Lakewood’s Miller scored one more time at the start of the fourth quarter, giving the Lancers’ a 49-0 led with 11:50 left in the game.
The Jaguars continued to compete and willed their way to gain production on the offensive end. Seniors Isaiah Miranda and Antonio Elam led the charge, however, with the Lancers’ red zone in sight late a mishandled exchange coughed the ball back to Lakewood. The clock struck zero, and Lakewood won 49-0.
“Lots of things to work on… we got to get better in all areas. We still have a great opportunity ahead of us to qualify for the playoffs. We just need to take things one game at a time,” said Cabrillo head coach Shane Gonzales.
Lakewood hosts Jordan, while Cabrillo hosts Wilson next week. It will be both Lakewood’s and Cabrillo’s homecoming weeks.
When asked how to stay focused for the remainder of the year, Utopo explained, “Same message every single day, every single week: take it one play at a time. We know what is coming, and if we just take care of business now, and focus on now, we will be more than ready for any opponent.”
