MALVERN -- After struggling in the first half of the game, Lakeside found its footing in the second half by shutting out Malvern for a 21-14 win at David Alpe Field at Claude Mann Stadium.
The Rams (2-2) were unable to get a first down until their third drive of the game, but after trailing 14-7 at the half, the team managed two big drives while holding the Leopards (2-1) to just 17 yards in the second half to secure the win.
"We're still trying to figure things out, just like everybody else," said Lakeside head coach Jared McBride. "But our kids showed good heart and fight at the end and shut them out the second half, put the ball in the end zone. They have a lot of good weapons out there that we were able to cover and create some turnovers. And we were able to run the football in the second half, and that usually helps you win games."
The Leopards struggled with penalties, taking three for 30 yards in their final drive that all but nullified the first three plays of the drive that garnered 33 yards.
"It was sloppy," said Malvern head coach J.D. Plumlee. "We had our opportunities, man. It just makes you sick to your stomach that I thought we played really well on defense. We held them in check. I thought our secondary covered, took away their big threats and then on the flip side they did the same thing. We couldn't block them up front. We just we shot ourselves in the foot multiple times. I don't know how many penalties we had, but holding penalties and -- we'd get something going, seems like we'd get a 6- or 7-yard play, and then we get a hold."
One of the big turning points in the game for the Rams was their first touchdown of the second half. After driving down to the 25 yard line, senior quarterback Will Ross dropped back and found classmate Logan White on a screen.
White was hit multiple times as he made his way toward the end zone, but the ball squirted free around the 3 yard line, bouncing into the end zone where sophomore lineman Ethan Rogers fell on it.
"That's just a hustle play from him," McBride said. "He wasn't really involved in the play, and it just shows that he plays hard and that's what we teach him to do is to run hard, follow the ball carrier and you never know what will fall in your lap. He was there, and helped us get one in the end zone."
Malvern had two penalties due to sophomore quarterback Cedric Simmons making a pass after crossing the line of scrimmage, one in each half.
"You go back to the end of the first half, Ced scrambles round, he's about a yard past the line of scrimmage and finds Carter Martin in the back end zone," Plumlee said. "He was past the line of scrimmage. Then he had another one down there. You can't fault him for that he's just trying to make a play. And that happens. We've just got to clean up some stuff on our o-line -- too many run-throughs, and we've got to clean that up."
Senior Isaac Echols had a big night for the Rams, rushing for 124 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown, averaging 5.63 yards per touch.
"He is very consistent; he's very patient," McBride said. "There's not a lot of big holes, and he was just kind of finding little slivers and getting in and run it hard. We turned the ball over a few times to them; they kind of hurt us, shot ourselves in the foot a little bit, but we were able to make plays when it counted."
Classmate Will Perrigo was big on both sides of the ball for Lakeside, averaging 11.33 yards per reception while leading the team with 14 tackles and a sack.
"He likes collision for sure, so he's going to find the next place for collision (with) somebody," McBride said. "He's a tough runner, and we were able to involve him in the pass game a little bit, made some big plays for us."
The Rams travel to Camden Fairview (2-2) on Friday to face the Cardinals. Malvern will play host to the Bauxite Miners (1-2).
1Q2Q3Q4Q--F
Lakeside7077--21
Malvern8600--14
First quarter
LS -- Isaac Echols 5 run (Andrew Degrasse kick), 5:42
Mal -- Malique Reliford 10 run (Isaiah Beard pass from Carter Martin), 0:59
Second quarter
Mal -- Cedric Simmons 29 run (kick fail), 9:22
Third quarter
LS -- Ethan Rogers fumble recovery in end zone (Degrasse kick), 6:23
Fourth quarter
LS -- Will Ross 1 run (Degrasse kick), 10:03
LSMal
First downs1512
Total yards205262
Rushes-yards35-10038-133
Passing105129
Comp-Att-Int12-22-112-18-3
Punts-yards5-2025-107
Fumbles-lost4-22-0
Penalties-yards5-557-55
Time of Possession22:0125:59
Individual statistics
Rushing -- Lakeside, Isaac Echols 22-124, Chase Cross 2-1, Chance Cross 1-1, Will Ross 6-(minus-1). Malvern, Cedric Simmons 24-96, Malique Reliford 4-22, Jacobe Hart 6-10, Keith Caradine 4-5.
Passing -- Lakeside, Ross 12-22-1-105. Malvern, Simmons 12-18-3-129.
Receiving -- Lakeside, Logan White 4-35, Will Perrigo 3-34, Chase Cross 3-24, Daniel Gaston 1-7, Jake Brown 1-5. Carter Martin 2-39, Malaki Asher 2-24, Dante Reed 5-20, Reliford 1-10, Marquez Johnson 1-5.