The562’s football coverage for the 2026-27 school year is sponsored by Long Beach Poly alums Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
Lakewood senior Thales Nguyen felt like the Lancers were stuck in the mud to open the season.
After the offense to failed to score a touchdown in the season-opener it looked they were on their way to another disappointing performance, however after a 55-yard connection between Aidan Kautsky and Jayden Moore late in the fourth quarter – Nguyen delivered the game-winning touchdown on a 4-yard run that gave the Lancers a 12-7 victory over Paramount on Friday.
“It was really just relying on our senior players to make a big play after we were stuck in the mud,” Nguyen said. “After that deep run by Jayden, it really shifted our moods to make us have that mentality.”
The first quarter started much like the first week of action for the Lancers as they continue to find their rhythm. Senior Thales Nguyen had a couple of positive yards, but the drive stalled after a high snap resulted in a turnover on downs.
After a nice punt left Paramount deep in their own territory, the Lancers forced a three-and-out and on the ensuing punt attempt there was a high snap forcing him to fall on the ball forcing a safety as Lakewood took a 2-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
On the Lancers’ (1-1) next possession, the Pirates held Nguyen to short gains and on third down senior Aidan Kautsky’s pass attempt was incomplete forcing Lakewood to punt.
Both teams continued to battle defensively as 2-0 was the score as the teams headed into the locker room at halftime.
The Pirates (1-1) came out looking to get the ball moving on the ground as Derrick Jackson was the focal point of the offense as he capped the opening drive of the second half with a 22-yard touchdown to give Paramount a 7-2 lead with 7:56 left in the third.
Lakewood’s offense got the ball moving on the ensuing drive as Kautsky started to find Moore and Raymond McCree as they drove into Pirate territory. However, the Lancers settled for a field goal and Jake Vega drilled his second field goal of the year to cut Pirates’ lead to 7-5.
Two drives later the Lancers opened things up as Kautsky started to move the ball around as he found Moore for a 55-yard gain and after Nguyen got loose for a 15-yard gain – he bullied his way into the end zone for the game-winning score.
“As long as we got each other and we keep believing – I feel like we can get through anything,” Moore said after the win. “This is the first win, we need to keep going.”
Moore finished the game with 87 yards receiving while Nguyen had 59 yards on the ground to go with Montgomery’s 64 yards.
“Those guys had a lot of speed man – they’re physical,” Lakewood coach Mario Morales said of the defense holding the Pirates to one touchdown. “But they knew that they were going to hang in there. They have a lot of pride on defense.”
Lakewood will be back at John Ford Stadium when they take on Ventura next Friday.
