After holding the Leopards to just six points in the opening half, Lakeside continued to dismantle the visiting Malvern team as the Rams closed out the non-conference season with a 41-19 win Friday night at Chick Austin Field.
Moments into the final quarter, Lakeside (2-1) invoked the mercy rule after junior running back Isaac Echols ran four yards into the end zone. Junior quarterback Will Ross found junior receiver Logan White on the conversion play to give the Rams a 41-6 edge.
In a last ditch effort to bridge the gap, Malvern freshman quarterback Cedric Simmons broke free 7:42 into the fourth for a 32-yard rushing score. The kick was no good, leaving the Leopards (1-2) with a 29-point deficit.
Six plays later, a fumble by Lakeside was scooped up by Malvern junior wide receiver Malique Reliford, setting the stage for another Leopards touchdown.
Junior Kieth Caradine rushed for one yard into the end zone with 1:30 remaining, and sophomore Jesus Rodea booted the kick for an extra point, setting the final.
An unstoppable defensive unit led by Lakeside junior Will Perrigo held Malvern scoreless in the first quarter. Ross connected with White on a 42-yard pass for a touchdown in the early stages of the period just two minutes minutes into the game. Daniel Gaston's point-after attempt was no good, leaving the Rams with a 6-0 lead.
Ross found sophomore Chase Cross on an 88-yard pass for a score with 45 seconds remaining in the first, and the Rams' conversion attempt was denied for a 12-0 score.
Cross proved to be a top target for Ross once again as the sophomore led the Rams' receivers corps after finding the endzone on a 29-yard pass for a Lakeside touchdown with 2:09 off the clock in the second. Gaston split the uprights on the point after attempt, securing a 19-0 edge of the Leopards.
Simmons put the Leopards on the scoreboard four minutes into the second frame, rushing in from the 2 yard line to cap a four-play, 45-yard drive.
Ross picked up his fourth passing touchdown of the half at the 6:01 mark as he connected with Brock Garner on a 27-yard toss to the end zone. Gaston's kick left the Rams with a 26-6 lead.
Malvern's defense managed to hold the Rams back in the third until Ross connected with Echols on a 7-yard pass to set a 33-6 spread at the break.
The Rams host Camden Fairview on Friday at 7 p.m. at Chick Austin Field. The Leopards travel to Bauxite to kick off their conference season.
Sports on 09/21/2019