Lakeside's defense continued its midseason surge with a dominating performance against crosstown rival Hot Springs Friday night at Reese Memorial Stadium.
Surrendering 21 points per game in conference play, the Rams forced two turnovers while scoring 42 unanswered points in a 42-14 romp.
Forced to punt on its first drive of the second half, Lakeside quickly regained possession after recovering a Hot Springs fumble in Trojan territory. Three plays later, Dupree Swanson rushed for a one-yard touchdown and Lakeside stretched its lead to 28-7 with 5:02 remaining in the third quarter.
After a quick three-and-out by Hot Springs, Michael James capped a 10-play, 73-yard drive with a three-yard score and Lakeside took a 35-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
A 34-yard touchdown pass from Taylor Gilham to Sawyer Lamb gave the Rams a 42-7 lead with less than 10 minutes to play in the fourth, enacting the mercy rule and running clock.
The Trojans set the final margin on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Byrd to Satiar Thomas with 1:50 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Recovering Lakeside's onside kick attempt to open the game, Hot Springs marched 50 yards on its first possession and Damien Walker gave the Trojans an early 7-0 lead with a nine-yard touchdown run on fourth down and goal.
The Rams answered right back on the ensuing drive, setting the tone for the first half. Gilham connected with Keelan Fleming for a 17-yard touchdown to knot the score with 5:03 remaining in the first quarter.
A one-yard plunge by Michael James and a 15-yard scoring pass from Gilham to Torin Davis gave the Rams a 21-7 lead at the half. Hot Springs advanced to Lakeside's 15 yard-line on its final possession of the second quarter before time expired.
Finishing as the No. 2 seed from the 5A-South, the Rams (6-4, 6-1) will host the 5A-West No. 3 seed in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs next week at Austin Field. The Trojans end the season with a record of 1-9 overall and 1-6 in conference.
Sports on 11/04/2017