Behind an explosive offensive performance after a slow first quarter, Lakeside took down Malvern 49-14 at Chick Austin Stadium Friday night.
Lakeside senior quarterback Jordan Mills was 14-for-23 passing for 348 yards and five touchdowns. Chase Cross was one of Mills' favorite targets on the night as Cross registered 171 yards and two touchdowns on just five receptions. Sophomore running back Braylen Russell added balance to the attack with 14 rushes for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
After a lightning delay pushed the game's start time back 30 minutes, both teams struggled to score in the first quarter.
On Malvern's first possession, Lakeside's Steven Cummins intercepted a pass from Cedric Simmons to give the Rams (1-2) early momentum. Following the interception, Lakeside was able to drive the ball to the 11-yard line, but on a fourth down play that saw Mills scramble right, a Lakeside receiver made a great catch in the end zone but was ruled out of bounds.
On the Rams' next drive, Lakeside was once again able to drive deep into Malvern territory. However, from fourth and one at the 6-yard line, Russell was denied the end zone on a direct snap.
Lakeside finally got on the board as Mills found Brock Garner on a pass down the left side, capping an 80-yard drive with a 51-yard score after Garner crossed to the right sideline.
The Rams' second score came on a pass from Mills to Kyler Wolf on an out route, but Wolf pitched the ball out to Russell to make it 14-0 at intermission.
The Rams exploded out of the break, scoring on the first drive of the second half.
Starting with a 41-yard rush, Russell got the ball down to the Malvern 21 before scoring a few plays later on an 8-yard run.
Holding the Leopards (1-2) to just three plays, Lakeside needed just four plays to score as Mills went deep to Wolf on a 59-yard bomb for the 28-0 lead.
Simmons scored on a 14-yard run on fourth down late in the third to pull within three scores. Three plays later, Mills connected with Chase Cross to make it 35-7
Despite returning the ensuing kickoff into Lakeside territory, Malvern was unable to take advantage of the good field position, eventually turning the ball over on downs.
Lakeside's senior southpaw continued his stellar second half on another touchdown pass to Cross, this time a 56-yard completion for a 42-7 lead.
Malvern fumbled the kick, and the Rams jumped on the loose ball at the Leopards' 34. Mills found Atreal Howard for a 32-yard pass on fourth down to push out to a 49-7 lead.
Malvern's Ja Noah Harris ran the ball in from the seven-yard line to cap a 76-yard drive and set the final.