WALLED LAKE - After playing on the road for the first three weeks, Walled Lake Western welcomed Lakeland to Warrior Stadium with a 41-14 victory for the Warriors in the first home game of the season.

The Warriors, playing in front of a large home crowd looked to score on the game’s opening drive, taking the ball down to the Lakeland 5-yard line in six plays. However, the Eagles’ defense came up with a big goal line stand, forcing a fumble and recovering the ball at the 6-yard line.

After a three and out, and a Lakeland punt, the Warriors took over in great field position at the Lakeland 40-yard line. After two plays, Western got on the scoreboard with a 37-yard touchdown pass from senior Kyle Thomas to junior wide receiver Cody White. Thomas and White are arguably the best passing combination in Oakland County this season would hook up later in the game for another score.

Lakeland came storming back with a 67-yard pass play as quarterback Alec Ramirez hooked up with a wide open Jace Ross who was brought down from behind on a touchdown-saving tackle by Western safety Jack Dodge at the Lakeland 8-yard line. The Eagles did not waste any time getting in the end zone, as tailback Hunter Roberts scored on the next play, punching it in on an 8-yard run. Western jumped offside on the point after attempt and Lakeland head coach Joe Woodruff elected to go for two. The Eagles converted as Ramirez handed off to Roberts and he plunged into the end zone to put the Eagles up 8-7 heading into the second quarter.

Western took a 13-8 lead after Thomas scored on 2-yard keeper. The score was set up after the Warriors successfully converted a fourth-and-four play on a 23 yard pass play from Thomas to senior Javon Gabriel down to the Eagles’ two yard line. The extra point was blocked and Western led 13-8 at the break, despite racking up 319 yards of offense in the first half.

The second half belonged to Western as the Warriors outscored the Eagles 28 to 6. Thomas found White again for a 19-yard touchdown to put the Warriors up 20-8. On Western’s next possession, Thomas connected with his younger brother, Justin on a 22-yard pass for the sophomore’s first career touchdown and a Warriors’ 27-8 lead.

Lakeland scored on a 10-yard touchdown run by Roberts and after an unsuccessful two point conversion attempt, the Warriors’ lead was 27-14.

Western tailback Jalen Marshall exploded off tackle for a 72-yard run down to the Lakeland 3-yard line. Thomas then scored on a three yard keeper to put the Warriors up 34-14. Western scored on their next possession as Thomas found junior Cam Ford in the back of the end zone to seal the 41-14 Warriors’ victory.

With the win, Western improves to 4-0 (2-0 KLAA). The Eagles fall to 1-3 (0-2 KLAA). Western is back on the road again next week at Waterford Mott. Lakeland will host Walled Lake Central.
 

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