Football: Lakewood defeats Mission Viejo, 28-7

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Lakewood will be rolling into the Pac-5 Division semifinals thanks to the efforts of running back Jerry Stone.

Stone rushed for 170 yards and three touchdowns in 25 carries as host Lakewood defeated Mission Viejo, 28-7, in the division quarterfinals on Friday night. The junior speedster was nearly unstoppable, scoring the game’s first touchdown on a 44-yard sprint up the middle before tacking on a couple of third quarter touchdowns to put the game away.

Stone, whose early-season ineligibility resulted in four, early-season forfeits by the Lancers, has averaged 203 yards a game in the postseason.

With the victory, the Lancers will play the winner of Saturday’s game between top-seeded Long Beach Poly and Anaheim Esperanza on Dec. 5.

Lakewood also came out on top in the battle between two of the Southland’s most-prolific quarterbacks.

Junior Jesse Scroggins completed 10 of 17 passes for 174 yards. His 48-yard, touchdown pass to Kevin Anderson in the second quarter was the play of the game. Scroggins also connected with seven different receivers and converted twice on fourth down.

Mission Viejo’s Alan Bridgford completed 18 of 36 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown. However, the Cal-bound senior also tossed two interceptions, the last of which led to Stone’s second touchdown of the night. In addition, his receivers dropped six passes.

The Diablos appeared poised to score on their first possession until they fumbled the ball out of bounds in the Lakewood end zone. From then on, Lakewood controlled the game.

Mission Viejo running back Jake Marshall finished with 98 yards in 19 carries.

-- Austin Knoblauch