‘Real Lakota West’ stepping up

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Ryan Podracky/Lakota West fullback Emmanuel Hill leads the way for Jordan Thompson during the game against Lakota East on Friday, October 30, 2009. Lakota West is going to playoffs as the No. 6 seed for Division I, Region 4.

Firebirds shook off loss in opener to reel off 9 straight wins; set for Anderson.

By Steven Matthews, Staff Writer Updated 11:44 AM Friday, November 6, 2009

WEST CHESTER TWP. — Expectations never change on Union Centre Boulevard.

But for the last two seasons, Lakota West High School’s football team didn’t live up to those expectations, finishing 5-5 and 6-4.

This year, though, has been different.

After losing the season opener by a point, the Firebirds reeled off nine straight victories for their first Greater Miami Conference championship and third Division I playoff berth.

“It’s showing we’re not one of those Lakota West teams that’s really athletic but not disciplined,” senior outside linebacker Jordan Hicks said. “We’re showing a lot of different parts in our game and it’s really rewarding because people are seeing the real Lakota West.”

The Firebirds (9-1) have been in playoff mode the last nine weeks and take that momentum to Anderson (10-0) for a Region 4 quarterfinal showdown Saturday night, Nov. 7.

“Now we’re in the playoffs,” West coach Larry Cox said. “Now it’s one and done here. We’re all in the same boat. Not everybody had to win every week to maintain their playoff status. We’ve responded to that. Now we can focus on this day, instead of sitting there at Week 2 and saying we’ve got to win through to get there. We can just focus on the week, focus on Anderson.”

The Firebirds clinched a playoff berth with a 17-5 win over Lakota East last Friday night, and Cox admitted he didn’t sleep much that night.

“Honestly, the first word that came to my mind was righteous,” Cox said. “I took some time and thought of everything that’s gone on this year and what we’ve been through as a team. I don’t know if people give us the proper credit. Our team has sort of been undervalued for one reason or another. All our kids have done every week is responded to every challenge laid in front of them. It’s a total effort by everyone.”

The reason Cox believes his squad has been underappreciated — the Firebirds hadn’t done it before.

In two previous playoff appearances, West lost to Moeller 38-7 in ’04 and St. Xavier 44-3 in ’06.

Led by arguably the strongest senior class to come through the program, this year’s nine-win total already establishes a new school record.

“People either didn’t expect it or whatever,” Cox said. “When you’re as close as I am and know these kids as well as I do, you know what they’re capable of. Don’t be surprised. We’re one single extra point away from a perfect season. This is a pretty good team. I don’t want to sound like sour grapes. All we’ve got to do is keep doing what we’re doing.”

Next game

What: Division I, Region 4 football quarterfinal

Who: Lakota West Firebirds (9-1) at Anderson Redskins (10-0)

Where: Brown Stadium, Cincinnati

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Playoff history: Lakota West is 0-2 in two years of playoff competition. Anderson is 10-8 in nine trips to the postseason.

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Heard west may be without the big kid smith again - if he plays i'd be surprised, must be under the age of 18

wonderwhy
1:17 PM, 11/7/2009

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with a dozen or so players being "heavily" recruited by D-1 schools lakota west should have no problem handling anderson tonight - i don't know of any school with that many division one players that should not roll in the high school playoffs - we'll see, take care

jackbo
9:30 AM, 11/7/2009

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You must be a real fan...considering they play tomorrow.

dustin
9:02 PM, 11/6/2009

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real or fake, I hope Lakota West gets their butts handed to them tonite. Maybe then they will realize they are human like the rest of us & their crap DOES stink.

GO ANDERSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anderson fan 4 2nite
4:46 PM, 11/6/2009

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