FOOTBALL: Lakewood defense presents challenge for Princeton

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on October 28, 2016 9:59 AM

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PRINCETON -- Homecoming.

The annual fall rite, a concentrated dose of movie-of-the-week pomp, will take place at various stops throughout the Carolina 1-A Conference over the next three weeks.

Pregame food will be served en masse. Old stories will be rehashed, perhaps with new bits of detail. A court, full of nervous energy and proud parents, will be duly crowned.

They'll even play some football.

Such is the case tonight at Princeton, where the Bulldogs put their unblemished conference canvas to the test against Lakewood, which enters the contest 5-3 overall and 2-1 in league play.

As the phrase goes, never a dull moment.

The challenge will likely begin in the box for the Bulldogs, whose prolific rushing attack will square off against an inhospitable, assignment-based Lakewood defense that has surrendered just 41 points over three league tilts this season.

Conceptually, the Leopards offer no tricks -- just yours against theirs.

"I was introduced to them last year," Bulldogs head coach Travis Gaster said. "And they were everything as advertised... very physical, big linebackers -- the size of most D-linemen. They'll put No. 77 (Tristen Hawks) right on top of our tight end and try to manhandle us.

"That's what Coach Lewis hangs his hat on."

Lakewood also leans on experience, as provided by quarterback Zach Tanner and tailback Keshon Bailey, both varsity letter winners the past two seasons. Tanner, a left-handed gunslinger, can fit the ball in tight windows and move the chains on his own if coverage stifles his receiving corps.

Bailey is another matter entirely.

The senior tailback is a unique combination of power and edge speed, using both with aplomb to help author the Leopards' last victory -- a highly improbable, panic-attack inspired rally at Rosewood two weeks ago.

"We have to fit correctly," Gaster said of his team's defensive approach. "We've had guys in place (this season), but we've given up leverage because our fit hasn't been right... we should be able to get an unblocked man free -- that person just has to make a play."

Offensively, the Bulldogs will counter with the tailback trio of Earl Gibson, Jr., Matt Stallworth and Trace James, who have combined for 2,537 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns this fall -- a staggering production rate that equals a score every nine carries.

As for concerns that Lakewood might be able to key on the main cogs of Gaster's motorized Wing T, the coach remains confident the blue-and-gold will continue to collect hashmarks at a whirlwind rate.

After all, the Bulldogs have used the approach to outclass league foes 126-55 this season.

"That's exactly who we are," Gaster noted. "We've got three really good backs, and our O-line has been playing very well together -- we're riding the horses that got us here."