By Chris Drummond

cdrummond@marshallindependent.com

COTTONWOOD– After an emotionally upset win over the Minneota Vikings, the Lakeview Lakers will shift attention to the Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks on Friday night.

The game will showcase two teams with similar game stats. But one winning streak will come to an end Friday.

The Blackjacks enter Friday’s contest on a three-game winning streak and scoring 176 points in the last three games while surrendering only 32. The Blackjacks are averaging 51 points a contest and the defense is giving up a little over 16 points. 

Meanwhile, Lakers starting quarterback Owen Louwagie threw three more passing touchdowns last week, giving him a total of 15 on the season. Louwagie also has three rushing touchdowns.

Teammate Clayton Kosel has rushed for 518 yards on the season and starting receiver Nathan Fenske has 478 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. The offense is averaging a little under 47 points per game, while the defense is limiting teams to a little over 17 points. 

Blackjacks starting quarterback Keegan Wicht has been on a tear throwing 10 touchdown passes with 708 yards. Teammate Holt Larson has rushed for 512 yards on the season and Brayson Boike has 322 receiving yards with four touchdowns on the season.

 The Lakers remember Larson, as he rushed for 236 yards with a touchdown in a close loss to the Lakers 28-22 last October. The difference in that ballgame was the turnovers, as the Blackjacks committed three to the Lakers none. 

The Blackjacks will be looking to exact some revenge on the Lakers in Cottonwood Friday night.

These two teams are a mirror of each other. Both with highly skilled players with a solid defense. Both quarterbacks are known for accuracy and getting the football into their playmakers’ hands 

This is a game with the potential of being a shootout, between two good football programs.

Keys to the game

For Dawson-Boyd: Containment of Louwagie will be key. He has been playing at a high level all season and the connection built with Fenske has propelled the Lakers to their hot start to the season. Offensively, the Blackjacks must limit their turnovers and sustain drives against a good Lakers defense. The Blackjacks went 1-7 on third downs the last time these two teams played. The Blackjacks must force some turnovers in this game and steal some possessions away from the Lakers.

For Lakeview: Wicht has been playing phenomenal football and has a trio of play-makers at the wide receiver. Averaging over 175 yards passing, the Lakers must disrupt Wicht timing and force him to be inaccurate. Another key for the Lakers is containing Larson. Larson can make an impact offensively, defensively, and on special teams as he has scored a touchdown in all areas. He is coming off back-to-back games of rushing for 180 yards plus, both resulting in victories. The Impact that Larson has on the game must be limited by the Lakers.

Big plays

This will be huge because of the amount of talent on the field for both sides of the ball. Whoever can eliminate the big plays will have a huge advantage in winning the game. Both teams want to establish the run to set up their aerial attack and Wicht/Louwagie are more than capable of doing so.

Third downs

The Blackjacks went 1-7 in third down vs the Lakers last year. However, the Lakers didn’t fare much better going 3-10. The team that can sustain drives by getting first downs will put themselves in a position to win this ballgame.

Will it be the Lakeview Lakers continuing as an undefeated team this season on a mission or will the Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks continue with their winning steak in hopes of sending a message to the conference?

Cottonwood. Lakeview. DB. Friday at 7 p.m.