The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
One paper it’s Jaylah Fauiletolo’s first season with the Lakewood flag football team.
On the field Fauiletolo looked like a seasoned veteran on defense coming up with three interceptions as the Lancers defeated Wilson 13-6 Wednesday afternoon.
“I was really happy with how my team played,” Fauiletolo said. “I really was supported by my team. I wouldn’t have been able to do it if they didn’t fill in while we were playing zone.”
After both teams struggled to get the ball moving on the opening possessions of the game, Fauiletolo jumped in front of a route to pick off Wilson’s Kira Ines and took it all the way back to give the Lancers 7-0 lead with eight minutes left in the first quarter.
The Bruins’ offense continued to struggle on the next possession and had to punt, however Alexis McLaurin picked off Lakewood’s Isabel Jovel to give the ball right back to Wilson.
Lakewood’s defense continued to swarm Wilson and Fauiletolo came up with her second interception to give the ball back to her offense.
Wilson’s defense didn’t budge as they came up with another stop to force Lakewood to turn it over on downs with 7:20 left in the first half.
“I don’t know how many times they had the ball down inside the five, but I think we stopped them probably about 10 times,” Wilson coach Duane Haldeman said. “We’re suiting up nine players, ten players and how inexperienced we are, I just can’t tip my hat enough to these girls.”
Both teams went back-and-forth until Jovel found a wide-open Kyrah Feagin and she went 66 yards to score to give Lakewood a 13-0 lead after a failed 2-point attempt.
“It was great, it feels good,” Feagin said about scoring. “I just ran.”
Wilson’s offense continued to claw their way to opportunities behind Ines who started to find a rhythm connecting with Isa Lahera, but the Bruins couldn’t string together enough together as Fauiletolo came up with her third interception early in the fourth quarter.
However, McLaurin came up with a big defensive stop as she came down with her second interception on the ensuing drive.
The Bruins didn’t let the opportunity go to waste as Lahera drove Wilson down the field and Noemy Najera scored to cut Lakewood’s lead to 13-6 after a failed two-point conversion.
After being forced to punt on their next drive, Lakewood’s Dimiah Williams came up with a game-ending sack that secure the first league win for the Lancers.
“It’s good for the team to understand that we could rely on our defense,” Lakewood coach Fernando Viramontes said. “In some games our defense is going to have to rely on the offense.”
Wilson will have a quick turnaround as they take on Redondo in a non-league matchup and Lakewood will be on the road to take on Cypress next Wednesday.
