Lakeland vs. Lansdale Catholic

Recap

LANSDALE CATHOLIC 43, LAKELAND 7

Missed opportunities in the red zone proved costly as Lakeland fell, 43–7, to Lansdale Catholic in the opening round of the PIAA Class 2A playoffs Saturday afternoon at the Germantown Supersite in Philadelphia.

Lakeland began three first-half possessions inside the Crusaders’ 35-yard line but came away with no points, setting the tone for a day in which the Chiefs were unable to take advantage of early momentum swings. District 12 champion Lansdale Catholic capitalized instead, using big plays on both sides of the ball to advance to the state quarterfinals.

Lansdale Catholic quarterback Yeboa Cobbold Jr. led the way with 131 passing yards and two second-quarter touchdown strikes to James Webb Jr., while adding 68 yards and a score on the ground. The Crusaders defense controlled the line of scrimmage throughout, holding Lakeland quarterback David Naniewicz to 13 rushing yards on 23 attempts and creating three turnovers.

Lakeland appeared poised to strike first when Gavin Roberts forced a fumble recovered by Luke McFarland at the Crusaders 35. A potential touchdown reception by McFarland was ruled out of bounds, and a fourth-down incompletion ended the drive. Another short Lansdale Catholic punt gave the Chiefs the ball at the 26 later in the quarter, but a fourth-down stop again turned Lakeland away.

Lansdale Catholic answered with a seven-play, 95-yard march capped by a 35-yard touchdown from Cobbold to Webb early in the second quarter. After another Lakeland takeaway set up first-and-goal at the 3, the Chiefs were pushed backward on four straight plays, ending their third red-zone chance without points.

The Crusaders immediately seized control, needing just three plays to go 80 yards, with Cobbold hitting Webb for a 57-yard touchdown to make it 14–0 heading into halftime.

The second half opened with another backbreaker for Lakeland as O’Brien broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage. A Saeed Robinson interception set up Cobbold’s 20-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter, stretching the lead to 28–0. Two quick scores from Russell Holmes Jr.—a 23-yard run and a 31-yard fumble return—pushed the margin to 43–0.

Lakeland broke the shutout with 3:07 left when Naniewicz found Roberts for an 8-yard touchdown and Nicholas Janosky added the extra point.

Despite the loss, Lakeland closes the season as District 2 champion, completing an 11-2 campaign after winning only four total games the previous two years.

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER

None

2ND QUARTER

LC – Junebug Webb 35-yd pass from Yeboa Cobbold (Raymond Williamson kick) – Lansdale Catholic 7-0

LC – Webb 35-yd pass from Y. Cobbold (Williamson kick) – Lansdale Catholic 14-0

3RD QUARTER

LC – Nick O’Brien 75-yd run (Williamson kick) – Lansdale Catholic 21-0

LC – Y. Cobbold 22-yd run (Williamspon kick) – Lansdale Catholic 28-0

4TH QUARTER

LC – Russell Holmes 23-yd run (Y. Cobbold run) – Lansdale Catholic 36-0

LC – Holmes  31-yd fumble return (Williamson kick) – Lansdale Catholic 43-0

LAK – Gavin Roberts 8-yd pass from David Naniewicz kick (Nick Janosky kick) – Lansdale Catholic 43-7