Landon Football 21 Boys Latin 20

West Laker Ave. Baltimore is a “fur piece” on a Labor Day Friday and the LAKERS (get the origin of their name?) had the benefit of a tough game against their neighbors last week. The Bears’ roster includes some very talented Form VI players ,but the squad includes 10 from the 2028  class. More than a few of the underclassmen played. Typically, the line from inside the White Rocks do not have the bulk of the school’s roadside decorations.  This group of centers, guards, tackles, nose guards and defensive ends include more than a few heavyweights. Most notably, Zach Helmreich tips the scales and height are exceptional.

The 1st Q showed the benefits of BL’s prior game. After the Lakers held the Bears to 3 and out, the home team moved the ball- 12 plays, 49 yards, ~7 minutes = 7 points.

Obviously the MIAA school did not review Landon’s game of 2024, for on the ensuing play they kicked the ball to UBIE “GONE” ZAID. About 90 yards later, Bear #3 stood in the BL endzone, PAT good

Bears 7 Lakers 7

The Black and Deep Red home team showed good aggression, execution and play-calling. Stating on their own 32, it took 7 plays, 51 yards, ~1:80 seconds to record a 34 yard FG. Good PAT

Lakers 10 Bears 7

Back on O, the L team showed its youth when a screen pass resulted in a pick 6 for a BL LB, PAT successful

HALFTIMELakers 17 Bears 7

The next Q saw some momentum from the 6101 boys. While they did not convert on their first possession, Soph Bear JASON HINTON set the tone by dumping the BL QB for a loss and two snaps later, the boys on West Lake had to punt.

At 8:49 remaining in Q2 started, SURPRISE, with roughly a 60 yard UBIE punt return gave his teammates’ great field possession. Landon’s #10 Jr RB, MATTHEW ROSNER and ’26 RB DOMINIC JENKINS broke tackles plus a‘28 QB MACK DOCKX run followed by a 7 yd pass to “GONE” brought the Bears closer to their opponents tally to BL 17 LS 14@5:42 of Q3

After both teams had short, unrewarding possessions, the SCOREBOARD moved to Q3.

BL started on a 15 play effort that stalled after 45 yards. The Landon D then defended 3 successive pass plays. Instead of the anticipated TD the home team put up a 22 yard FG.

LAKERS 20 BEARS 14

Ball control was essential for the Lakers to preserve their 6 point margin. Senior DL NICK DAVIDOFF devastated that aspiration when he sacked the Laker QB for a significant loss. The home coaches feared another damaging visitor return and they quick kicked. The Offense started a possession but had to punt.  The Bear D stopped 1 BL run and covered 2 incomplete passes. The 11:53 punt gave the ball back to the Bears 53 yards from their goal line.

UBIE ran 4 times for 15 yards. MACK D found ’26 TE RUSTY RHODES for a good gain and followed with a completion to ’26 WR ROBERT SWIFT . A QB scrambleand a designed run set up a 1^st and 10 at the Landon 38. MACK D hit Senior WR JACK FLYNN for a short gain. BL was flagged for DPI

On the next play #7 was injured and was replaced by ’27 QB #6 MAX MURRAY whoran, handed off to MATT for 12 yards then passed to ROBERT S for a key13 yd gain. With 1:10 on 2^nd and goal at the 3 yard, MAX found SOPH WR ALEX POPE for the tying TD—that pass actually went through the hands of a BL DB. PAT GOOD BEARS 21 LAKERS 20

Landon kicked off with 1:02 remaining on the clock. Pass, QB scramble, run and pass created optimism among the Laker fans. SOPH DB AUBREY COLE had a TFL andthe BL QBtried a desperation pass which a Bear DB (?POPE) intercepted. With 0:27 left, taking a knee sealed the VICTORY

BEARS 21 LAKERS 20

9/5 HOME 4PM v. John Carroll