The price tag on Lakewood’s mistakes cost them the Denver Prep League’s No. 1 spot.
Four-second half turnovers Friday afternoon gave Denver South the momentum and points to knock off No. 10 Lakewood 41-34 at All-City Stadium.
“This is where we are going to see what we are made of,” Lakewood coach Mark Robinson said. “When we have seven turnovers, I don’t know anyone who is going to come back and win a game after that. This is the kind of stuff you have to learn from.”
The last lesson will be the toughest. Down by seven, the Tigers (5-1, 3-1) drove from the Rebels 45-yard line to the 31 with time to make a play at the end zone. With 1:04 left on second down, Lakewood quarterback Dylan Nelson’s pass to the end zone was under thrown and went into the hands of South’s Vonte Johnson.
“It was crystal clear,” Johnson said. “You live for that kind of interception. It was in the air, I just had to get it.”
South (4-2, 3-1) spent the second half making up for the 21 unanswered points Lakewood put up in the first half en route to its 27-14 lead. But, South coach Tony Lindsay said the late start has become a habit for the Rebels.
“These are the kind of games we have been playing,” Lindsay said. “It was not a big deal for us to be down at the half.”
It helps when his nephew, Phillip Lindsay, is on the sideline. The sophomore running back and linebacker patrolled the field at all times finishing with 138 offensive yards, a touchdown rushing and two receiving, 15 tackles and another touchdowns on a 35-yard interception return.
“He’s a freak,” Tony Lindsay said. “He is everywhere. He is a football player.”
Phillip Lindsay’s effort spread to the Rebels who used their time efficiently. Lakewood’s long drives put the Tigers ahead 294-118 in offensive yardage, but South’s quick scoring off turnovers added up in points.
Lakewood quarterback Dylan Nelson finished with 139 passing yards and two touchdowns — one passing and one rushing. The Tiger offensive relied heavily on running back Kennan Collins with 116 yards on 20 carries.
Denver South’s win breaks up the three-way tie for the lead in the Denver Prep League between South, Lakewood and Denver East.
Tony Lindsay said this kind of win, especially on homecoming, shows the kind of progress Denver South has made since his seniors were freshmen.
“I started here with 15 guys,” Lindsay said. “Now we have 70. Now we have a team.”
DENVER SOUTH 41, LAKEWOOD 34
Lakewood 14 13 0 7 — 34
Denver South 14 0 20 7 — 41
DS — Lindsay 8 pass from Jump (Jump kick). L — Collins 97 kickoff return (kick failed). DS — Lindsay 2 run (Jump kick). L — Zott 27 pass from Nelson (Nelson run). L — FG Giertz. L — Scadden 15 run (Shaw kick). L — FG Giertz 30. DS — Jump 2 run (kick failed). DS — Johnson 35 fumble recovery (Jump kick). DS — Lindsay 22 pass from Jump (Jump kick). DS — Lindsay 35 interception (Jump kick). L — Nelson 1 run (Condon kick).
